Police Guarantee Full Investigation into Suspected Acid Attack on KontraS Activist

Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), was allegedly attacked with corrosive liquid by an unknown assailant in Salemba, Central Jakarta. The Indonesian National Police have guaranteed that the case will be thoroughly investigated.

“On this occasion, we must convey that the National Police Chief, as head of the police, has given special attention to the handling and investigation of this case,” said Irjen Johnny Eddizon Isir, Head of the Police Public Relations Division, at National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta on Friday, 13 March 2026.

Isir stated that the case is being handled by the Central Jakarta Police District. He noted that the Metro Jaya Regional Police and the National Criminal Investigation Directorate are providing assistance to expedite the investigation.

“In follow-up to the attention and directives of the National Police Chief, the investigation being conducted by the Criminal Investigation Unit of Central Jakarta Police District is being backed by both the Metro Jaya Regional Police and the National Criminal Investigation Directorate, particularly by colleagues from National Police Headquarters,” Isir said.

“The police are also ensuring that the investigation and prosecution process, as part of law enforcement, is conducted on a scientific basis,” he added.

Dimas Bagus Arya, Coordinator of the KontraS Working Body, explained that the alleged acid attack on Andrie Yunus occurred at 23:00 Western Indonesia Time on Thursday, 12 March. He stated that Andrie had been conducting a podcast at the Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI) office on the topic of “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia.”

Andrie Yunus has been taken to hospital for medical treatment. Medical examination revealed that he suffered burns covering 24 per cent of his body.

“Based on information we have gathered, we assess that this acid attack is an attempt to silence critical voices in society, particularly human rights defenders. This, with reference to Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights, Article 66 of Law Number 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management, and the Regulation of the National Commission on Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia Number 5 of 2015 concerning Procedures for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders,” Dimas explained.