TNI: Attackers of Andrie Yunus Released After Investigation
The Indonesian National Armed Forces Headquarters (Mabes TNI) has responded to calls for the release of photos of the four suspected perpetrators who threw acid at human rights activist Andrie Yunus. The Head of the TNI Information Centre, Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, stated that the investigation into the case is still ongoing.
According to him, the four suspects will be presented to the public only after the entire investigation process has been completed. The TNI Military Police Centre claims to have detained the four suspects, who are from the Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS), since Wednesday, 18 March 2026. “Please wait until the entire investigation process by the TNI Puspom investigators is completed,” Aulia said when contacted on Monday, 23 March 2026.
The demand for the release of photos of the four suspects was issued by the Advocacy Team for Democracy. This team consists of several non-governmental organisations such as LBH Jakarta, KontraS, LBH Pers, Imparsial, Trend Asia, Amar Law Firms, and Greenpeace Indonesia.
Through a statement from KontraS administrator Jane Rosalina, the Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD) doubts the results of the investigation by the TNI Puspom Centre in probing the acid attack case against the Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), Andrie Yunus.
This doubt arises due to the lack of transparency from the defence institution to the public regarding the four perpetrators who are claimed to have been arrested. In its press conference, the TNI only revealed the initials of the four suspects, including Captain NDP, First Lieutenant SL, First Lieutenant BHW, and Second Sergeant ES.
According to TAUD, the TNI’s statement cannot be verified for its truthfulness. This is because the defence institution did not provide complete information regarding the preliminary evidence for designating the four suspects. “We urge the TNI Puspom to act transparently and accountably by releasing photos or directly showing the perpetrators,” TAUD stated in its press release on Friday, 20 March 2026.
The publication of information in the form of photos of the suspects is considered important so that the public can verify the truth of the statement. Moreover, there are differences in the information provided by the TNI Puspom and the Metro Jaya Police in investigating the acid attack case against Andrie Yunus.
The police released information and photos of two suspected perpetrators of the acid attack based on their investigation results. Based on the evidence collected by the police, the two suspects are initialled BHC and MAK.
Therefore, TAUD urges President Prabowo Subianto to immediately form an independent Joint Fact-Finding Team with clear authority regulated by law. This independent team is requested to accommodate elements of law enforcement apparatus, civil society, and reputable community figures.