Police arrest man for acid attack on ex-partner in Makassar
Makassar — Police have arrested a 35-year-old man identified by his initials A for deliberately dousing caustic acid on his 38-year-old ex-partner, identified by her initials U, out of anger over their breakup in Makassar, South Sulawesi.
“The suspect has been secured in connection with assault through caustic acid attack. According to the suspect’s account, the motive stemmed from emotional distress over the victim ending the relationship,” said Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Tamalate Police Precinct, Inspector Abdul Latif, in Makassar on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on the night of Monday, 16 March 2026. The suspect admitted to deliberately travelling to Makassar and searching for the victim. After discovering her whereabouts, he proceeded to her residence on Jalan Deppasawi, Tamalate District, and carried out the attack.
The suspect perpetrated the crime at the victim’s home before fleeing. The victim’s family subsequently reported the incident to Tamalate Police Precinct. Following the report, the Rapid Response Unit (Resmob) of the precinct, assisted by personnel from the Makassar Metropolitan Police, commenced an investigation and apprehended the suspect after pursuing him on Jalan Tanjung Bunga, Makassar, on Tuesday morning.
The suspect had been unwilling to accept the breakup and attempted reconciliation, but the victim rejected his advances. This led him to travel to Makassar and commit the heinous act.
“He sprayed acid in the victim’s bedroom. According to the victim’s account, she had opened the window. When the suspect knocked on the window and made a noise, the victim looked out. She initially mistook him for a cat, so she opened the window slightly, whereupon he directly sprayed caustic acid inside,” the police officer explained.
The victim sustained severe burns across her body consistent with hospital photographs. She is currently receiving treatment at Bhayangkara Hospital in Makassar.
Evidence seized includes a plastic bag formerly containing gloves and a notebook bearing the suspect’s handwriting containing allegations that the victim had infidelity issues and unfounded claims of her engaging in sexual relations with others at a lodging facility.
The victim’s family members wept and expressed intense anger over the heinous act after the suspect was brought to the police precinct.