Parliament Commission III Holds Special Session on Acid Attack Against Human Rights Activist Andrie Yunus
Commission III of the House of Representatives scheduled a special session to discuss the case of an acid attack against human rights activist Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Disappearances and Violence (KontraS).
The session was scheduled for Monday, 16 March at 11.00 Western Indonesian Time in the Commission III meeting room at the Nusantara II Building in the parliamentary complex, Jakarta.
Previously, the Chairman of Commission III, Habiburokhman, strongly condemned the acid attack on Yunus and pledged that the commission would monitor the case that occurred on Thursday, 12 March evening.
In his statement on Saturday, 14 March, Habiburokhman said his office had contacted the Metro Jaya Police Chief, Inspector General Asep Edi Suheri. He requested that police move quickly to investigate the case and apprehend the perpetrators.
“We will ensure Commission III continues to oversee this case so that the investigation proceeds quickly and professionally. We request that the state fully cover the best medical treatment costs so that he can recover soon,” he said.
Andrie Yunus became the victim of an attack by unidentified individuals who sprayed acid, causing injuries to his hands and feet as well as vision impairment.
KontraS Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya stated the incident occurred after Andrie Yunus attended a podcast event titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at the offices of the Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI), around 23.00 Western Indonesian Time.
“He experienced an acid spray attack by unidentified person(s) that resulted in serious injuries across the body, particularly on the right and left hands, face, chest, and eye area,” he stated in a written statement on Friday, 13 March.
Following the incident, Andrie was immediately taken to hospital for medical treatment. From the examination results, Andrie sustained 24 per cent burn injuries.
Dimas disclosed identifying characteristics of the alleged first perpetrator: wearing a white-blue combination t-shirt, dark trousers believed to be jeans, and a black helmet.
Meanwhile, the second perpetrator, the passenger, wore a face covering or mask resembling a black ‘buff’ that covered half the face, a dark blue t-shirt, and blue long trousers rolled up short and believed to be made of denim.
From CCTV footage obtained, based on the timecode recorded, the incident occurred around 23.30 Western Indonesian Time.
Initially, two men riding one motorcycle were seen making a U-turn and moving slowly. Then the man being carried as a passenger—not wearing a helmet—allegedly sprayed acid towards the victim who was passing on his motorcycle.
The victim immediately stopped, knocked over his motorcycle and cried out in pain. Nearby residents approached to see what had happened to the victim.