TAUD on TNI BAIS Head's Resignation: Expose the Command Chain in Andrie's Acid Attack

The Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) has urged for the immediate revelation of the command chain ordering the acid attack on Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, Andrie Yunus. This statement was made by TAUD representative Dimas Bagus Arya, who is also KontraS Coordinator, in response to the resignation of the Head of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (Kabais), Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo. “This step cannot be viewed as adequate accountability, especially as a response to a serious crime allegedly involving an organised operation by a military intelligence agency,” he said in a written statement on Thursday (26/3). TAUD, he added, also questions the TNI’s seriousness in uncovering the terror attack on Andrie Yunus. This is because, he said, yesterday’s press conference provided no information on the progress of the investigation from the TNI, including accountability for the perpetrators’ command and the chain of command for the acid attack on Andrie Yunus. However, according to Dimas, a serious revelation and justice for the victim are highly anticipated by the public. “This large-scale operation raises various suspicions that need to be investigated, such as orders, involvement of superiors, and the command structure within the TNI,” he stated. Furthermore, he assessed that the replacement of the BAIS Head is not inherently a form of accountability. Dimas emphasised that responsibility for human rights violations should not be attached to a single position alone. He said that in the military’s hierarchical organisational structure, the chain of command involves broader layers of leadership than just one person. “The absence of explanation regarding the accountability of the command structure creates a strong impression of an attempt to cover up partial, selective accountability that does not touch the entire chain of command that should be examined,” he explained. Dimas views the resignation of the TNI Kabais as merely a way to prevent accountability from reaching higher levels such as the TNI Commander or the Minister of Defence. On the other hand, he is concerned that the resignation will release the individual from potential criminal violations in the Andrie Yunus case. However, he said, if involvement is found, they should still be processed through applicable legal mechanisms. “Removal from position without accompanying criminal accountability could potentially become an internal mechanism that closes off accountability space and strengthens impunity practices,” he stated. Finally, TAUD also urged that the acid attack perpetrators be processed through general courts, not military courts. This is seen as aligned with Article 65 of Law No. 34 of 2004, which states that TNI soldiers are subject to military courts only for military law violations, and to general courts for committing general criminal acts. Andrie was doused with acid by two unknown individuals on Jalan Salemba 1, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (12/3) night. The attack occurred after Andrie attended a podcast event themed “Remilitarism and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI). Metro Jaya Police estimate more than four people were involved in the acid attack on the human rights defender activist. Meanwhile, TNI Headquarters claims to have detained four soldiers alleged to be related to the acid attack. Most recently, the Head of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency (Kabais), Lieutenant General Yudi Abrimantyo, has surrendered his position related to the acid attack case on Andrie. “As accountability, today the handover of the BAIS Head position has been carried out,” said TNI Information Centre Head, Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, in a press conference at TNI Headquarters, Jakarta, on Wednesday (25/3).