YLBHI and Coalition Demand Full Investigation into Acid Attack on KontraS Activist
A coalition of civil society organisations has strongly condemned the acid attack against Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), and has demanded a thorough investigation into the case.
KontraS Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya stated that during its 28-year existence, KontraS has repeatedly experienced intimidation and terror. He characterised the acid attack on Andrie Yunus as evidence of the erosion of democracy. “This is not merely an alarm anymore; this represents the depth of the democratic crisis, the nadir of our democracy,” Dimas said during a press conference on Friday, 13 March 2026. He called on law enforcement to seriously investigate the case and identify those responsible.
Dimas stressed that this incident will not deter KontraS from continuing its work built over 28 years. “We demand accountability from law enforcement and urge the state to take serious action in protecting human rights. We also call upon the current administration, which has established a human rights ministry, to stand alongside human rights defenders,” he stated.
Usman Hamid, Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, also strongly condemned the attack on Andrie Yunus, noting that this was not the first time the activist had been targeted. Whilst acknowledging that Yunus has previously dealt with military-related issues, Hamid cautioned against automatically assuming the perpetrators were from the military. “We must conduct a serious investigation. Typically, such terror emerges amid tensions from political elite conflicts. This connection to the attack on Andrie must be carefully examined,” he said.
UI lecturer Sulistyowati Irianto criticised the brutal attack on the young activist, describing it as devastating. “Indonesia’s Golden 2045 vision becomes meaningless when young people are destroyed in such brutal ways. Yet they will never be afraid; the more pressure they face, the more they resist,” she stated.
Muhammad Isnur, Chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), described Andrie Yunus as a courageous figure, noting that human rights defenders are frequently targeted by unknown assailants. Isnur stated that he had communicated with police following the incident and urged them to identify both the perpetrators and those orchestrating the attack. “We have been in contact with police since last night, and they have gathered evidence. There should be no obstacles to revealing who committed this act and who is behind it. The question is whether police have the courage to expose those responsible,” he said, calling on the National Police Chief and Metro Jakarta Police Chief to fully utilise their detective resources to solve the case.
The National Police (Polri) have assured the public that the case will be investigated thoroughly. Police have already reviewed CCTV footage and interviewed multiple witnesses. According to Irjen Johnny Eddizon Isir, Head of Polri’s Public Relations Division, the National Police Chief has given special attention to handling and solving the case. The case is being handled by the Central Jakarta Police (Polres Jakpus), with support from Metro Jakarta Regional Police (Polda Metro Jaya) and the Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim). “The investigation and prosecution will be conducted based on scientific methods and law enforcement procedures,” Isir stated.