YLBHI Urges Trial of Suspects in Acid Attack on Andrie Yunus in General Court

Chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Muhammad Isnur, has emphasised that the suspected perpetrators of the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus should be tried in a general court to ensure the legal process is transparent and accountable. Isnur stated that although the suspects are TNI members who have been detained, the trial should not stop at a military court but must be brought to a general court. “This revelation was carried out by the TNI, which immediately detained the perpetrators. What about the trial? Because the victim is a civilian and it was carried out in plain clothes,” Isnur said in his statement on Thursday (19/3). Additionally, YLBHI urges that the case be handled by public prosecutors. According to him, this step is important so that the public can monitor the legal process openly. “We urge that this be brought and prosecuted by public prosecutors in a general court so that society can see it transparently, openly, and know,” said Isnur. Isnur also mentioned the koneksitas court mechanism in the Criminal Code (KUHP) which allows cases with military and civilian elements to be tried in a general court. “So there is something called koneksitas court in the KUHP, so as much as possible it should be tried in a general court,” he said. Furthermore, he expressed concerns over the involvement of state apparatus in violence against civilians. According to him, this incident proves the threats that have long been voiced by civil society. “Our concerns about violence carried out by state apparatus have been proven. This is an extraordinary tragedy,” he said. He also emphasised that the action cannot be seen as ordinary assault. Based on findings and advocacy by the civil coalition, Isnur assessed that there are strong indications of intent to take the victim’s life. “In our perspective, this is not just assault, but has already directed towards attempted murder,” he asserted. The TNI Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Police, Major General Yusri Nuryanto, confirmed that the four perpetrators of the acid attack on Andrie Yunus are members of TNI BAIS. The perpetrators, currently undergoing legal proceedings, are Captain NDP, Lieutenant SL, Lieutenant BHW, and Sergeant ES. YLBHI Chairman Muhammad Isnur highlighted discrepancies in data on the suspected perpetrators of the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus as revealed by the police and TNI. President Prabowo Subianto needs to immediately form an independent fact-finding team (TPF). The four TNI personnel face charges under Article 467 of the KUHP with a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment. KontraS urges the formation of a Joint Fact-Finding Team (TGPF) to thoroughly investigate the systematic attack on Andrie Yunus and uncover the intellectual actors behind this terror. The TNI assures that the case handling is carried out professionally and transparently. He explained that in the context of geopolitics and national stability, clarity of information and firmness of apparatus are key factors. Habib appreciated the Police and related parties who have uncovered the suspected perpetrators. He explained simply, the attack using acid with four perpetrators having task divisions. The TNI assures that the case handling is carried out professionally and transparently. As many as 86 CCTV recordings have been collected and presented in the investigation process. All recordings are now being analysed to uncover the incident comprehensively.