Suspects in USK Aceh Agriculture Faculty Arson Case Rise to 12

Police have again named new suspects in the case of vandalism and arson of the Agriculture Faculty building at Syiah Kuala University (USK) in Aceh. The head of the Banda Aceh Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Kompol Miftahuda Dizha Fezuono, said the suspects were identified based on the examination of 35 witnesses, analysis of video footage, and other evidence collected during the investigation. “So far, the number of suspects who have been named is 12 people and the witnesses examined total 35,” Dizha told reporters on Tuesday (9/6). According to him, each suspect had different roles in the action which caused damage to a number of facilities within the USK Agriculture Faculty. Investigators are also still exploring the possibility of other parties being involved. In the latest case review, police identified individual MJ (23) as a suspect for allegedly directing the attack on the Agriculture Faculty and appointing WS, who had previously been named a suspect, as the field coordinator. MJ is also said to have led a meeting before the action took place. For this role, MJ is charged under Article 262 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 20 and Article 21 of the Criminal Code. Meanwhile, AH (20) was named a suspect for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails and vandalising campus facilities. He is charged under Article 308 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 262 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code. In addition to these two, police also named RA (20), AL (22), FA (21), MGA (20), TAJ (21), HF (22), IS (20), and TKS (20) as new suspects. They are suspected of participating in the attack and throwing objects at the USK Agriculture Faculty area. The suspects are charged under Article 308 in conjunction with Article 262 in conjunction with Article 521 in conjunction with Article 522 of the Criminal Code. He said investigators are still open to the possibility of developing the case if new evidence pointing to other perpetrators is found. Previously, the arson and vandalism case at the USK Agriculture Faculty caused material losses and disrupted academic activity on the campus. “Currently, the investigation is still ongoing. We urge all parties to respect the ongoing legal process and not to take actions that could disrupt the investigation,” said Dizha. On the other hand, USK stated it continues to coordinate with law enforcement officials to support the thorough uncovering of the case. The case originated from tensions between students of the Agriculture Faculty and the Engineering Faculty that occurred several days before the arson incident. On 18 May 2026, Agriculture Faculty students who were going to participate in a demonstration at the Aceh Governor’s Office allegedly passed in front of the Engineering Faculty while revving their vehicle engines. On the same day, a commotion occurred at the USK Student Executive Board Secretariat which caused an Engineering Faculty student to be injured and require medical treatment. Although mediation was attempted by the university, the conflict continued. On 21 May at around 00:20 WIB, a group of Agriculture Faculty students allegedly carried out an attack on the Engineering Faculty which resulted in damage and minor injuries. This action then triggered a retaliatory attack. Around 4:00 AM WIB, a mass of Engineering Faculty students attacked the Agriculture Faculty by throwing stones and carrying Molotov cocktails. As a result, a number of buildings and laboratories in the Agriculture Faculty were damaged and caught fire.