Yusril Urges Police to Investigate Masterminds Behind Acid Attack on KontraS Activist
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra has affirmed that the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus represents an assault on democratic values and human rights protection in Indonesia. According to him, human rights activists work in the interests of the people and the nation.
“The acid attack on Andrie Yunus from KontraS is an attack on democracy itself. Human rights activists work for the interests of the people and the nation, as human rights enforcement and democracy are constitutional mandates,” Yusril stated on Friday (13 March 2026).
Yusril said all parties must uphold mutual respect for differing viewpoints. He stressed that violence against democracy and human rights activists cannot be justified under any circumstances.
“Attacking democracy and human rights activists, even if one side disagrees with them, cannot be justified. In a democracy, everyone should adhere to the principle of respecting differences and diversity because everyone acts for the common interest, not for personal gain,” he said.
Furthermore, Yusril called on law enforcement authorities, particularly the Indonesian National Police, not merely to identify the field perpetrators. He urged police to uncover who was behind the incident.
“I request law enforcement authorities, especially the National Police, to ensure thorough investigation extending to the intellectual architects, not just the perpetrators who carried out the attack in the field,” he asserted.
Yusril highlighted the pattern of attacks, which suggests evidence of organised planning. For this reason, the law enforcement process cannot stop at the field executors.
“The pattern of attacks appears planned and organised, so the investigation of this incident should not stop at the executor level, but must also uncover the intellectual architects behind it,” Yusril said.
He added that he had coordinated directly with police authorities regarding the case.
“I have coordinated with the Jakarta Metro Police Chief who is handling this case together with the National Police Criminal Investigation Division. They are currently conducting deeper investigation and cannot yet disclose anything to the public,” he said.
Yusril also appealed to the public to await police investigation results so the incident could be clarified clearly and objectively.
“I urge the public to await police investigation results so this matter becomes crystal clear. Such violent acts cannot be tolerated. Whoever the perpetrators are and whatever their motives, they must be prosecuted according to applicable law,” the Coordinating Minister stressed.
Yusril also affirmed that President Prabowo Subianto is deeply committed to upholding law, democracy and human rights. Therefore, the government will never tolerate violence in any form, whether against activists or anyone else, even if they disagree or stand opposed to the government.
“As you can see, the President also invites those who often disagree with the government for open dialogue at the Palace. The President will not tolerate violence against activists or anyone else,” he concluded.
Earlier, KontraS Executive Board Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya explained that the alleged acid attack on Andrie Yunus occurred at 23:00 Western Indonesia Time on Thursday (12 March). He said Andrie was initially conducting a podcast at the Law Aid Foundation Institute office (YLBHI) titled “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia”.
Andrie Yunus was taken to hospital for medical treatment. Medical examination showed Andrie sustained burns covering 24 per cent of his body.
“Based on information we have gathered, we assess that this acid attack represents an attempt to silence critical voices in society, particularly human rights defenders, which according to Law Number 39 of 1999 on Human Rights, Article 66 of Law Number 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management, and the Indonesian National Human Rights Commission Regulation Number 5 of 2015 on Procedures for Protection of Human Rights Defenders,” Dimas explained.
Police Chief Provides Special Attention
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has given special attention to handling the alleged acid attack case against Andrie Yunus. The National Police guarantees thorough investigation of the case.
“The Police Chief as head of the National Police has given special attention to handling and uncovering this case,” said National Police Public Relations Division Head Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir at National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta on Friday (13 March).