TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), Andrie Yunus, was attacked with acid by unknown individuals on Thursday night, March 12, 2026. The attack occurred after Andrie did a broadcast at the Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) Office.
Andrie was followed by two people and got attacked with acid. As a result, Andrie suffered burn wound covering 24 percent of his body. Prior to the attack, Andrie was terrorized by unknown individuals. The government suspects this attack was organized. The police are currently investigating the case.
Here are some facts regarding the acid attack on Andrie:
Acid Attack After Hosting Podcast "Remilitarism and Judicial Review in Indonesia"
Andrie Yunus was attacked with acid by an unknown person on Thursday evening, March 12, 2026. KontraS coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya said Andrie experienced the violence after recording a podcast titled "Remilitarism and Judicial Review in Indonesia" at the Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office in Jakarta, which concluded around 11:00 PM WIB (Western Indonesian Time).
24 Percent Burns
Dimas said Andrie suffered 24 percent burns. The attack resulted in burn wound to the front of his body. "He suffered serious injuries all over his body, especially to his right and left hands, face, chest, and eyes," he said.
Andrie Yunus also underwent eye surgery as a result of being splashed with the corrosive liquid.
Terrorized Before Acid Attack
Andrie Yunus received several calls from unknown numbers before being targeted by the acid attack. KontraS recorded eight numbers that contacted Andrie between March 9-11, 2026. "There were several unknown numbers that frequently called the victim," said Dimas Bagus Arya in a written statement on Friday, March 13, 2026.
The identities of three of the numbers are unknown. The other five numbers are suspected to be fraudulent and involve online loan scams.
Two Perpetrators Followed Andrie
According to an investigation by the civil society coalition, Andrie had been stalked by unknown individuals recently. "We've been tracking Andrie for several days, from his home, his dormitory, and his frequent places," said Muhamad Isnur, Chair of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), at a press conference in Jakarta.
According to KontraS's chronology of events, Andrie was riding his motorcycle on Jalan Salemba I, Central Jakarta. Then, two perpetrators approached the vehicle, allegedly a Honda Beat automatic motorcycle manufactured between 2016 and 2021, heading in the opposite direction.
The alleged perpetrators were two men, each acting as the driver and passenger. According to KontraS's monitoring, they had the following characteristics: The first perpetrator, the driver, was wearing a white and blue combination t-shirt, pants that appeared to be jeans, and a black helmet.
The second perpetrator, the rear passenger, was wearing a black face covering or mask resembling a "buff" that covered half his face, a dark blue t-shirt, and blue pants that were rolled up short and appeared to be jeans.
One of the perpetrators then threw acid at Andrie, hitting him on various parts of his body. Andrie screamed in pain and dropped his motorcycle.
Allegations of Organized Action
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra suspects that the attack on Andrie Yunus was organized. Yusril stated that the pattern of the attack indicated organized planning. Therefore, law enforcement must not stop at the perpetrators on the ground.
"The pattern of the attack appears to be planned and organized, so the disclosure of this incident must not stop at the executor level, but must reveal the intellectual actors behind it," Yusril said in a written statement in Jakarta on Friday, March 13, 2026.
Therefore, Yusril requested that law enforcement officials, particularly the Indonesian National Police, thoroughly investigate the case. Not only will the perpetrators and motives be identified, but also those behind the incident will be revealed.
Komnas HAM Conducts Investigation
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) will begin an investigation into the acid attack on Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator for External Affairs of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras). The investigation will be conducted to gather facts on the ground and obtain comprehensive information regarding the incident.
Komnas HAM Chairperson Anis Hidayah stated that her institution will ensure that the case of violence against human rights activists does not simply disappear. "We will fight for justice for the victim, for recovery, and to find ways to stop similar repressive practices in the future," Hidayah stated at the launch of the Civil Society and Democracy online learning program in Jakarta on Friday evening, March 13, 2026.
Hidayah also suspects that the acid attack on Andrie was deliberate and planned. She believes the use of acid indicates preparation prior to the attack. "Because the person who threw acid must have prepared something, especially in the middle of the night like that," she said.
Police Hunt for Perpetrators
The Central Jakarta Metropolitan Police are investigating the acid attack on Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS). Police are currently hunting for the perpetrators of the acid attack by conducting in-depth investigations and analyzing CCTV footage.
"The police are conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the perpetrators and the motive behind the incident," said the Head of Public Relations for the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, in a statement on Friday, March 13, 2026.
The investigation is being conducted with back-up from the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) and the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri). The investigation was initiated following the receipt of Police Report Model A Number 222/III/2026/Satreskrim/Restro Central Jakarta/Polda Metro Jaya.
One of the perpetrators then threw acid at Andrie, hitting him on various parts of his body. Andrie screamed in pain and dropped his motorcycle. As a result of the incident, Andrie suffered serious injuries to his entire body, particularly to his right and left hands, face, chest, and eyes.
Andrie's Condition
Jane Rosalina, Head of the Impunity Monitoring Division of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), stated that Andrie Yunus suffered burns covering approximately 24 percent of his body after being doused with acid by an unknown person. Andrie underwent eye surgery at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital (RSCM) in Central Jakarta yesterday.
Jane explained that the burns were an inflammatory reaction caused by the acid that hit the victim's body. The most severe injuries were to his face, particularly his right eye, as well as to both hands and chest.
"Of the injuries, the most serious is to his right eye, and he is currently receiving special treatment from an eye surgeon," Jane told Tempo on Saturday, March 14, 2026.
According to Jane, based on the severity of the injuries, the victim requires intensive care under sterile conditions for optimal recovery. Therefore, Kontras is asking the public to trust the medical personnel treating the victim.
Novali Panji Nugroho and Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: KPA: Acid Attack on Andrie Yunus Aimed at Silencing Activists
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