LPSK Approves Protection for Witness in Andrie Yunus Case
JAKARTA — The Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) has decided to approve a protection request from Kontras activist Andrie Yunus, who is a victim of an acid attack.
LPSK Chairman Achmadi stated that not only Andrie Yunus and his family, but witnesses in the case will also be provided protection to ensure their safety and allow the legal process to proceed without pressure.
“In this decision, LPSK also provides assistance and/or protection to the victim’s family and protection for witnesses in the case,” Achmadi said in a press statement on Tuesday (17 March 2026).
With the approval of the protection request, the victim, witnesses, and victim’s family now receive comprehensive protection programmes from LPSK.
Achmadi said the protection provided to victim Andrie Yunus includes physical protection in the form of close protection, fulfilment of procedural rights in the judicial process, and medical assistance in the form of regular medical care.
Family members of the victim receive protection including fulfilment of procedural rights, temporary living cost assistance, and reimbursement of temporary accommodation expenses or safe house costs.
The protection programme is provided for a period of six months from the signing of a statement of consent and/or protection agreement, and may be extended or adjusted according to need and case development.
“In this process, witnesses and victims must receive adequate protection, including for human rights defenders, whether individuals, groups, or organisations that play a role in efforts to respect, protect, and fulfil human rights in various sectors and issues,” he said.
Kontras activist Andrie Yunus was attacked with acid by an unknown person on the evening of Thursday (12 March 2026). The incident occurred shortly after Andrie finished recording a podcast at the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation Institute with the title “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia”. The recording finished at approximately 23:00 WIB.
Following the incident, Andrie was immediately taken to hospital for medical treatment. From the examination, he sustained approximately 24 per cent burn injuries.
“Based on the information we have gathered, we assess that this acid attack is an attempt to silence critical voices in society, particularly human rights defenders,” he said.
Most recently, President Prabowo Subianto is reported to have issued a direct order to National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo to thoroughly investigate the case. The President has requested that the case be handled professionally and transparently, prioritising scientific crime investigation.