TAUD Urges Case of Andrie Yunus Not to Be Handled by Puspom
The Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) has urged that the handling of the case involving four TNI soldiers in the alleged attempted premeditated murder of human rights activist Andrie Yunus be conducted transparently.
Andrie Yunus’s lawyer from TAUD, Alghiffari Aqsa, stated that the attack on Andrie constitutes a general criminal case. However, there are suspicions of a large-scale operation conducted by an institution, namely the TNI.
“Therefore, there will be a conflict of interest if these four soldiers are examined at the Military Police Centre,” Alghiffari said during a press conference at the YLBHI office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, 18 March 2026.
TAUD and civil society coalitions, he continued, are urging President Prabowo Subianto to form an independent Joint Fact-Finding Team (TGPF) to investigate Andrie’s case.
He explained that forming an independent TGPF is crucial amid suspicions of an ongoing large operation. He is concerned that in this operation, Andrie is not the only target.
Therefore, Alghiffari said, forming an independent TGPF would serve as a medium to establish and expand the facts, including the motives behind the attack on the Deputy Coordinator of Kontras.
“We also believe the perpetrators are not just four, which is why an independent TGPF needs to be formed,” he stated.
Earlier that day, the TNI Military Police Centre (Puspom) announced that it had arrested four soldiers from the TNI BAIS who are suspected of carrying out the attack on Andrie Yunus last week.
The four soldiers are initialled NDP, SL, BWH, and ES. “The four suspects have been secured at the TNI Puspom for further investigation up to the indictment level,” said TNI Puspom Commander Major General Yusri Nuryanto during a press conference on Wednesday.
Civil society coalitions doubt the handling of the alleged premeditated murder case targeting Andrie Yunus by the TNI. The coalition does not fully trust the statements and actions of Puspom.
“We doubt this case can be thoroughly resolved if handled by the TNI alone,” said coalition representative Usman Hamid via WhatsApp message on Wednesday, 18 March 2026.
Andrie Yunus was attacked by unidentified individuals while passing through Jalan Salemba I-Talang, Central Jakarta, on Thursday night, 12 March 2025.
The perpetrators attacked the human rights activist by splashing corrosive chemical liquid on several parts of his body, from his arms, chest, face, to his eyes.
Medical records indicate that Andrie suffered burns covering more than 20 per cent due to the splashing by the perpetrators. Civil society coalitions suspect that the attack on Andrie did not occur in isolation but is related to his activities.