Suspects' Efforts to Cover Tracks Following Acid Attack on KontraS Activist
Police are investigating a caustic acid attack targeting Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of human rights organisation KontraS. According to preliminary investigation findings, the suspects are believed to have undertaken various efforts to cover their tracks following the incident.
The attack allegedly occurred on Thursday, 12 March, at approximately 23:30 Western Indonesian Time, on Jalan Salemba, Senen, Central Jakarta. The assailants, believed to number four individuals, are suspected of having monitored Andrie Yunus’s movements prior to committing the act.
At the time of the incident, Andrie Yunus was riding a motorcycle alone. The helmet he was wearing melted, and his clothing was damaged. Yunus sustained injuries to multiple body parts after being sprayed with caustic acid by unknown assailants, with burns affecting his chest, arm, and face.
“Central Jakarta Police have requested an initial medical examination regarding the victim’s injuries. Several body parts were affected: the chest, face, and hand,” stated Police Public Relations Division Head Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir to journalists at National Police Headquarters, South Jakarta, on Friday, 13 March.
“Concerning the criminal charge of serious assault, pursuant to Article 467 paragraph 2 and or Article 468 paragraph 1 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code,” he added.
AI-Generated Suspect Photos Circulate
The suspects’ actions were captured by CCTV cameras in the vicinity of the location. Photographs and videos of suspected perpetrators have circulated widely on social media.
Police have stated that photograph content circulating includes artificially generated images created using artificial intelligence. Police have confirmed that the circulating photographs are not valid.
“If colleagues have seen, received, or encountered links or uploads on social media featuring alleged images of the suspects or alleged identities of the perpetrators, we can confirm that these are hoaxes or false. They are the result of artificial intelligence manipulation,” stated Director of Criminal Investigation, Metro Jaya Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Iman Imanuddin at a press conference on Monday, 16 March 2026.
Police have urged the public not to immediately believe the photographs and videos circulating and purporting to show the alleged perpetrators of the acid attack. These materials are suspected to have been distributed by the perpetrators’ network to obscure facts.
“With the circulation of this crime scene video, the perpetrators and their network appear to be panicking and attempting to obfuscate the investigation process by distributing images or sketches generated through artificial intelligence manipulation,” he said.
“We suspect this is also one of the efforts undertaken by the network and perpetrators to obscure information and distort the trajectory of the legal facts obtained,” he added.
Iman stated that CCTV recordings already obtained would serve as investigation materials. These CCTV recordings are currently being analysed in detail.
“This is extremely helpful to the investigation and prosecution process we are conducting. Particularly, most surveillance points in the Jakarta area have sufficiently high resolution, so in several locations quite clear images have been obtained,” he said.
Suspects Dispersed
Based on CCTV recordings, the four suspects rode two motorcycles with passengers. They dispersed in different directions following the attack.
One motorcycle carrying unknown persons 1 and 2 fled against traffic on Jalan Salemba towards Pasar Senen. The perpetrators then proceeded to Jalan Kramat Raya, Tugu Tani, towards Stasiun Gondangdia Station and subsequently towards South Jakarta.
“Subsequently, one vehicle carrying unknown persons 3 and 4 did not change direction from the crime scene but proceeded straight towards Jalan Pramuka Sari 2, then towards Matraman, then monitored via CCTV moving towards Jatinegara, then to Jalan Otto Iskandar Dinata in East Jakarta,” said Metro Jaya Regional Police Director of Criminal Investigation Senior Commissioner Iman Imanuddin to journalists on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.
Suspects Change Clothing
In CCTV recordings combined with digital processing, it was discovered that one of the suspects changed clothing during their flight. The perpetrators dispersed towards Kalibata and subsequently towards Bogor.
“Following the incident, one suspect is believed to have changed clothing before continuing their flight, and analysis of communication networks indicates the suspects subsequently dispersed towards the Kalibata and Ragunan areas and the Bogor region,” he stated.
Iman added that police are currently pursuing the alleged suspects. His office continues to conduct a series of investigations.
“We continue to gather legal evidence based on CCTV analysis and communication network data we have obtained,” he explained.
Case to Be Fully Resolved
Metro Jaya Regional Police Chief Inspector General Asep Edi Suheri stated that his office would fully investigate the acid attack case against Andrie Yunus. Asep said the case would be handled transparently and professionally in accordance with directives from President Prabowo Subianto.
“We affirm that Metro Jaya Regional Police is committed to handling this matter professionally, transparently, and accountably. These steps are undertaken in accordance with the President’s directive and the National Police Chief’s instructions to ensure all stages proceed professionally, transparently and are processed to completion,” said Asep at a press conference at Metro Jaya Regional Police Headquarters, Jakarta, on Monday, 16 March.
He stated that case handling prioritised caution. He noted that all information communicated to the public should not generate misleading speculation.
“We prioritise the principle of caution so that all information conveyed to society has been verified,” he said.