Police: Viral Photo of Alleged Acid Attack Perpetrator Against KontraS Activist is AI-Generated

Metro Jaya Police have stated that the photograph of the alleged perpetrator of an acid attack against Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), which circulated on social media, is an AI-edited image.

The photograph was uploaded by social media account @Robe1807 on platform X, with the account holder urging police to promptly arrest the perpetrator.

“We would also like to inform you that there have been developments in the field, including on social media, with photographs that appear to be CCTV screenshots of two individuals. We believe these are AI-generated results. This may also involve an attempt to mislead the investigation process,” said Kombes Budi Hermanto, head of Metro Jaya Police public relations, to journalists on Sunday (15 March).

Budi appealed to the public to exercise wisdom in sharing information about the case, as inaccurate information could hinder the investigation process.

“We hope that the public will also be prudent so that this investigation remains focused and unobstructed, not interfered with by things deliberately created to mislead,” he stated.

Budi added that police continue to work to solve the case and apprehend the perpetrator of the acid attack.

“We also request that all members of the public give space to the investigators and time so that the investigation is handled comprehensively and we can pursue the perpetrator who carried out the dangerous liquid attack against the activist,” he said.

Previously, Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, fell victim to an acid attack in Central Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March evening. The incident occurred after Yunus attended a podcast event titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at the offices of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) at approximately 23:00 Western Indonesian Time.

“He experienced an acid attack by an unknown person which resulted in serious injuries across his body, particularly on both hands, face, chest, and eye area,” KontraS Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya stated in a written statement on Friday, 13 March.

Following the incident, Andrie was immediately taken to hospital for medical treatment. Medical examination confirmed that Andrie sustained burns covering 24 per cent of his body.

Dimas also revealed the characteristics of the suspected first perpetrator, who wore a white and blue combination t-shirt, dark trousers believed to be jeans, and a black helmet. The second suspect, identified as the passenger, wore a black face covering or mask resembling a “buff” that covered half the face, a dark blue t-shirt, and blue long trousers folded to shorts length, believed to be made of denim.