March 26, 2026 | 08:30 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Federation Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) emphasizes the importance of establishing an independent fact-finding team to investigate the case of the attack on Indonesian human rights activist, Andrie Yunus.
Secretary General of KontraS, Andy Irfan Junaedi, stated that it has been almost two weeks since the incident involving the sulfuric acid attack occurred, yet there has been no significant progress in the investigation.
Andy highlighted the inconsistency in information regarding the differences in the identity of the suspects and the sequence of events provided by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Headquarters and the Indonesian National Police. "This indicates that we should question the credibility and accountability, both of the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the police," said Andy during an online discussion on Wednesday night, March 25, 2026.
Without an independent team, Andy doubts that the public can obtain authentic facts in the Andrie Yunus case. He is skeptical that the entire case construction and the extent of responsibility from the perpetrators can be revealed.
According to Andy, the needed fact-finding team to uncover the attack on Andrie Yunus should not be influenced by power. "It should work impartially and represent the parties who have the credibility and ability to work within the framework of scientific investigation, or knowledge-based modern investigation," said Andy.
Andy stated that the state should not only capture the attackers, but also delve deeper into the motive behind this incident and capture the main orchestrator responsible for this criminal act.
In cases of assault against pro-democracy activists, according to Andy, the legal process ends with the field perpetrators. "And then the field perpetrators usually, this is using 'usually,' usually claim that their actions are independent, driven by a certain political belief or a certain spirit of patriotism," said Andy.
However, in Andrie's case, it was revealed that the TNI version of the attackers were members of the Strategic Intelligence Agency or BAIS.
"Certainly, they are under TNI's control. This means, it should not be the TNI that should examine this case," he said. "It is unfair when the examination of this case is conducted by an institution whose credibility we doubt," Andy added.
Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, Andrie Yunus, who often criticizes the TNI Law and the expansion of the military's role in civil space, was attacked with sulfuric acid while on Salemba I-Talang Street, Central Jakarta, on Thursday night, March 12, 2026. Andrie was doused with a hazardous liquid by two unidentified individuals riding a motorcycle coming from the opposite direction of Andrie.
The corrosive chemical substance hit Andrie's right side of the body, such as his eyes, face, chest, and hands. Some of the victim's clothes also melted as a result of the sulfuric acid. Medical examinations showed that Andrie suffered serious burns covering 24 percent of his body. Andrie is currently undergoing treatment at the Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital (RSCM).
The police and the TNI are each conducting investigations into the case. However, the findings of the two institutions differ. The Jakarta Metropolitan Regional Police stated that the two executors had the initials BHC and MAK.
Meanwhile, the TNI revealed that there were four suspected perpetrators involved in the sulfuric acid attack on Andrie Yunus. They were Captain NDP, First Lieutenant SL, First Lieutenant BHW, and Second Sergeant ES. The TNI Military Police Center claimed that all four suspected perpetrators had been detained on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
Read: TNI Replaces BAIS Chief over Andrie Yunus Acid Attack Case
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
TNI Replaces BAIS Chief over Andrie Yunus Acid Attack Case
15 jam lalu
TNI confirmed that the Chief of BAIS TNI Lt. Gen. Yudi Abrimantyo has handed over his position for accountability for the acid attack on Andrie Yunus.
Why a Joint Fact-Finding Team Is Crucial in the Andrie Yunus Case
16 jam lalu
Komnas HAM states that the formation of joint fact-finding team in the Andrie Yunus case is urgent.
TNI to Reveal Suspect in Andrie Yunus Acid Attack After Probe Completed
2 hari lalu
The head of the TNI Information Center, Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, said that the investigation into the acid attack case against Andrie Yunus is still ongoing.
Why Haven't Police Arrested Soldiers in Andrie Yunus Case?
4 hari lalu
Four suspects of acid attack on Andrie Yunus have been captured by the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). However, why are they not prosecuted by the police?
Prabowo Calls for Full Probe Into Andrie Yunus Attack Masterminds
6 hari lalu
President Prabowo Subianto has ordered a thorough investigation into the attack on activist Andrie Yunus, emphasizing the need to uncover the intellectual actors behind the assault.
Prabowo Condemns Acid Attack on Andrie Yunus as 'Atrocious Terrorism'
6 hari lalu
Prabowo said his administration will not tolerate violence against citizens and demands an investigation, even if state officials are involved.
Police Clarify Conflicting Suspect Initials in Andrie Yunus Case
6 hari lalu
Metro Jaya Police clarify the discrepancy between police and TNI suspect initials in the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus.
5 Police Findings in the Attack on Andrie Yunus
6 hari lalu
Jakarta Metro Police reveal five key findings regarding the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus, including suspect initials.
DPR Pushes Civil Court Trial in Andrie Yunus Acid Attack Case
6 hari lalu
The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Commission III will supervise and monitor the legal process in the case of attack against Andrie Yunus.
SETARA Institute Accuses TNI of Sabotaging Andrie Yunus Case
7 hari lalu
SETARA Institute accuses the Indonesian Military (TNI) of sabotaging the investigation into the acid attack on activist Andrie Yunus.
