The preliminary police investigation, announced on Monday (16/03), has identified four alleged perpetrators in the acid attack on prominent KontraS activist, Andrie Yunus. This significant development marks a crucial step in the ongoing inquiry into the shocking incident that left Yunus with severe injuries.
According to police statements, the four suspects operated in pairs, riding two motorcycles. They reportedly dispersed shortly after carrying out the assault, employing tactics to evade immediate capture. Dirreskrimum Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Iman Imanuddin elaborated on their movements in Jakarta on Monday (16/03), stating, “It is suspected that four alleged perpetrators using two motorcycles waited for the victim in front of KFC Cikini, then followed the victim who was heading towards Jalan Diponegoro and subsequently in the direction of Jalan Salemba 1.”
Further police findings revealed an elaborate attempt by the perpetrators to conceal their identities. One of the assailants was even observed changing clothes before they scattered into different areas, including Ragunan, Kalibata, and Bogor. This meticulous planning underscored the premeditated nature of the attack.
The breakthrough in identifying the suspects was largely attributed to extensive CCTV footage. Kombes Iman Imanuddin highlighted the invaluable role of surveillance cameras installed at numerous points across Jakarta. “We are very grateful that the abundance of CCTV cameras monitored on both main and alternative routes within the Jakarta area has significantly aided the disclosure and investigation process we are undertaking,” Iman stated. He further noted that a majority of these cameras boasted high resolution, allowing investigators to obtain “sufficiently clear images in several locations,” though he did not provide specific details.
How the Alleged Perpetrators Stalked Andrie Yunus
The police investigation revealed a calculated and prolonged surveillance operation targeting Andrie Yunus prior to the attack. Based on their analysis of CCTV recordings from various points across Jakarta, law enforcement confirmed that the four alleged perpetrators had been tracking Yunus’s movements well before the incident. “The alleged perpetrators are suspected to have been following the victim’s movements since before the incident occurred,” explained Dirreskrimum Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Iman Imanuddin on Monday (16/03).
Their meticulous tracking began in South Jakarta and extended all the way to the crime scene in Central Jakarta. The suspects were observed circling key locations such as Jalan Medan Merdeka Raya, Jalan Ir H Juanda, the Tugu Tani area, and even the YLBHI building on Jalan Diponegoro, Jakarta Pusat, according to Iman. This detailed surveillance suggests a deep understanding of Yunus’s routine.
The pursuit intensified after Yunus concluded an event at YLBHI. Instead of heading directly to the crime scene, Yunus made a stop at a gas station on Cikini Raya, a move that the perpetrators exploited. “From YLBHI, these perpetrators began following the victim when the victim finished the event. The victim did not go directly to the crime scene but stopped to refuel on Cikini Raya, and that was when the perpetrators followed,” Iman revealed. CCTV footage from the Cikini Raya gas station further corroborated this, showing four individuals waiting for Andrie.
Around 23:32 or 23:35 WIB, the alleged perpetrators were clearly visible at the Cikini Raya gas station. “It is suspected that four alleged perpetrators using two motorcycles waited for the victim in front of KFC Cikini, then followed the victim who was heading on Jalan Diponegoro and subsequently in the direction of Jalan Salemba 1,” Iman disclosed. This extensive trailing culminated in the acid attack on Andrie Yunus at approximately 23:37 WIB on Jalan Salemba 1.
Meanwhile, Kapolda Metro Jaya Irjen Asep Edi Suheri assured the public that the investigation into the acid attack on Andrie Yunus would be conducted with utmost transparency and professionalism. He emphasized the police’s commitment to a cautious approach in unveiling the details of this violent case. “We prioritize the principle of caution so that every piece of information conveyed to the public has been verified, preventing speculation or erroneous perceptions within the community,” Asep stated during a press conference in Jakarta on Monday (16/03).
DPR Urges Swift, Transparent, and Professional Investigation
In a separate development, Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR) pledged to regularly monitor the investigation into the acid attack on KontraS Vice Coordinator, Andrie Yunus. Chairman of Commission III DPR, Habiburokhman, affirmed that this oversight is crucial to ensure the upholding of law, truth, and justice for Andrie Yunus, as reported by Antara.
“To ensure the enforcement of law, truth, and justice for Andrie Yunus, we will conduct regular working meetings and hearings with relevant law enforcement agencies,” Habiburokhman declared while reading the conclusion of a special meeting of DPR Commission III concerning Andrie Yunus’s case in Jakarta on Monday (16/03). Habiburokhman called for the police to thoroughly investigate the case with speed, transparency, and professionalism. He stressed the need for the National Police to swiftly identify and apprehend all involved parties—those who planned, ordered, executed, or assisted in the crime—in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
Andrie Yunus, the Vice Coordinator of KontraS, sustained severe injuries to his hands and legs, as well as impaired vision, after being attacked by unidentified assailants who doused him with acid. The incident occurred shortly after Andrie had finished recording a podcast at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office, where he had discussed topics related to militarism and a judicial review of the TNI Law. Initial reports indicated that the attack took place on Thursday (12/3) night, around 23:37 WIB, while Yunus was riding his motorcycle on Jalan Salemba I, Jakarta.
This news will be updated periodically.
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Summary
Police have identified four alleged perpetrators in the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus, who operated in pairs on two motorcycles. Extensively tracked via CCTV footage, the suspects reportedly dispersed after the assault, with one changing clothes, underscoring the premeditated nature of the attack. This development marks a crucial step in the ongoing inquiry into the incident.
The investigation revealed the perpetrators meticulously stalked Yunus from South Jakarta to Central Jakarta, following him from the YLBHI office to a gas station before the attack at 23:37 WIB on Jalan Salemba 1. Both Kapolda Metro Jaya and DPR Commission III have assured a swift, transparent, and professional investigation into the assault, which left Yunus with severe injuries. Authorities continue to prioritize caution in sharing information to prevent speculation.