Suspected perpetrators of acid attack on human rights activist flee in different directions

Jakarta — The General Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Metro Jaya Regional Police has revealed that the suspected perpetrators of an acid attack against KontraS activist Andrie Yunus fled in two different directions, towards South Jakarta and East Jakarta.

“Following the incident, our team conducted a search tracing the suspected perpetrators’ escape in different directions,” said the Director of the General Criminal Investigation of Metro Jaya Regional Police, Police Commissioner Iman Imanuddin, during a press conference in Jakarta on Monday.

Iman added that one motorcycle travelled against traffic on Jalan Salemba towards Senen, then proceeded along Jalan Kramat Raya towards Tugu Tani and subsequently moved towards Gondangdia Station. From Gondangdia, it headed towards the South Jakarta area. The second vehicle, meanwhile, did not change direction but proceeded straight towards Jalan Pramuka Sari 2.

“It then went to Matraman and was monitored by CCTV heading towards the Jatinegara area, then to Jalan Otto Iskandardinata, East Jakarta,” he said.

He also stated that the suspected perpetrators had been following victim Andrie Yunus since he left the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) on Jalan Pangeran Diponegoro, Pegangsaan, Central Jakarta. The perpetrators began following the victim after he completed an event at the office. “The victim did not proceed directly to the crime scene, but first refuelled at a petrol station on Cikini Raya,” Iman said.

According to Iman, the victim’s medical examination revealed acid trauma. The victim sustained burns to his face, arms, torso and other limbs.

“Hopefully the victim will soon recover. Let us all pray together that our friend and his family will soon gain recovery so he can resume his activities,” he said.