The Team for Advocacy for Democracy (TAUD) suspects that over a dozen individuals were involved in the field operation to douse human rights activist Andrie Yunus of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) with acid. This number is significantly higher than the suspects announced by the police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) so far.
This coalition of public lawyers alleges that these individuals interacted for several hours before the acid attack occurred near the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
“We assert that this was an intelligence operation. It was a planned, well-trained operation, starting from surveillance, stalking, then tailing, execution, and escape,” stated Fadil Alfathan, a TAUD member, during a press conference in Jakarta on Monday (30/03).
“As of today, there is clear evidence of 16 individuals’ involvement (alleged perpetrators on the ground).”
Fadil did not rule out the possibility that the number of alleged perpetrators could exceed 16. “The scope of the investigation could be broader, not only targeting those who carried out the act but also those at the level of intellectual masterminds,” he added.
TAUD is a coalition of lawyers overseeing Andrie Yunus’s case, comprising representatives from various legal institutions such as the Legal Aid Institute (LBH Jakarta), LBH Pers, and AMAR Law Firm & Public Interest Law Office.
According to Gema Gita Persada, another TAUD team member, since the violent assault on Andrie Yunus occurred on Thursday (12/03) at 23:37 WIB, “law enforcement efforts have become increasingly opaque day by day.”
“Today, we decided to formally request an update on the case through an SP2HP application (Letter of Notification on the Progress of Investigation/Inquiry) to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Indonesian National Police (Ditreskrimum Polri) and the Jakarta Metro Police (Polda Metro Jaya),” stated Gema, who works as a public lawyer at LBH Pers.
Furthermore, TAUD has yet to see any serious commitment from President Prabowo Subianto, who had previously indicated he would consider forming a Joint Fact-Finding Team (TGPF). “There has been absolutely none, I can confirm that,” Gema emphasized.
According to TAUD, the formation of a TGPF is crucial because the investigations opened by the police and TNI have yielded conflicting results, such as differing initials for the suspects. They also argue that simultaneous investigations by two institutions would only create “non-juridical obstacles.”
“A joint fact-finding team must be established to restore public trust in the government,” added Lakso Anindito, Chairman of Indonesia Memanggil 57 (IM 57+) and a member of TAUD.
Major General Aulia Dwi Nasrullah, Head of the Information Center of the TNI Headquarters (Kapuspen Mabes TNI), was contacted for comment regarding these latest findings but has not yet responded.
Komnas HAM Hears Police Statement
On the same day, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) directly requested information from the Jakarta Metro Police regarding the progress of Andrie Yunus’s case.
Komnas HAM member Saurlin P. Siagian stated that their team had met with the Director of General Criminal Investigation of the Jakarta Metro Police (Dirreskrimum Polda Metro Jaya), Senior Commissioner Iman Imanuddin, and several of his staff.
“Today, we received information for approximately three hours from the Jakarta Metro Police regarding their actions, the investigations already conducted, and future steps,” Saurlin said at his office, without elaborating further.
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During this meeting, Senior Commissioner Iman Imanuddin did not provide any statements to journalists.
However, according to Komnas HAM, the Jakarta Metro Police stated that they had handed over some necessary documents for handling the case to the TNI.
During the meeting, Saurlin claimed that the police are continuing the investigation process. “The Jakarta Metro Police are still continuing the investigation. They have not halted the process,” he affirmed.
Quoting Kompas.com, Saurlin also explained that Komnas HAM plans to request information from the TNI in the near future, given that four soldiers from the institution are allegedly involved.
“We will continue to monitor this case, and we will summon the TNI soon,” he clarified.
Chronology of Andrie Yunus’s Case
- March 12, 2026
On Thursday at 23:37 WIB, KontraS Deputy Coordinator Andrie Yunus suffered an acid attack on Jalan Salemba I – Talang, Central Jakarta. Andrie was allegedly tailed since leaving the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office.
While driving alone, Andrie was doused with acid by two individuals riding a motorbike who made a U-turn.
Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) reported that Andrie sustained approximately 20% burns and damage to one of his eyes.
- March 14, 2026
310 civil society organizations and individuals, identifying themselves as the Civil Society Coalition, strongly condemned the acid attack.
This act of violence against the KontraS activist also caught the attention of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Volker Türk.
“Those responsible for this cowardly act of violence must be held accountable. Human rights defenders must be protected in their vital work and be able to voice issues of public interest without fear,” he stated.
- March 15, 2026
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo announced that President Prabowo Subianto had given direct orders to investigate the case thoroughly.
- March 16, 2026
Police identified four perpetrators of the acid attack. Approximately 86 surveillance cameras were monitored.
- March 18, 2026 – TNI Statement
The TNI announced it had detained and named four soldiers as suspects. They are slated to be tried by military court.
“The suspects are Captain NDB, First Lieutenant SL, First Lieutenant BHW, and Sergeant ES,” said TNI Military Police Commander Major General Yusri Nuryanto.
All four were identified as members of Denma BAIS TNI from the Navy and Air Force.
- March 18, 2026 – Police Statement
Police announced the initials of two alleged perpetrators, BHC and MAK. These initials differed from the TNI’s statement.
Police also suspected that the number of alleged perpetrators was more than four.
“From the investigation results, we do not rule out the possibility of more than four perpetrators,” said Director of General Criminal Investigation of the Jakarta Metro Police, Senior Commissioner Iman Imanuddin.
- March 19, 2026
President Prabowo stated he would consider forming an independent fact-finding team. He also urged a thorough investigation into “who ordered and paid” the TNI members who became suspects.
- March 25, 2026
Lieutenant General TNI Yudi Abrimantyo resigned from his position as Head of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (Kabais) following the acid attack on Andrie Yunus.
On the same day, RSCM announced that the KontraS Deputy Coordinator had undergone an integrated surgical procedure involving a team of eye and plastic surgery specialists for over 4 hours. Andrie still required intensive care in the High Care Unit (HCU) and could not receive visitors temporarily.
- March 30, 2026
The group of lawyers overseeing Andrie Yunus’s legal process suspected at least 16 individuals were involved in the field operation during the acid attack.
Komnas HAM requested information from the Jakarta Metro Police and plans to summon the TNI.
- Head of BAIS TNI resigns following acid attack on KontraS activist – Could the suspected BAIS TNI soldiers have acted on their own initiative?
- KontraS activist acid attack case: Prabowo promises to investigate ‘who ordered and paid’ and consider forming a TGPF.
- KontraS activist Andrie Yunus attacked with acid draws attention from UN Human Rights Council – ‘A horrific attack’.
- Head of BAIS TNI resigns following acid attack on KontraS activist – Could the suspected BAIS TNI soldiers have acted on their own initiative?
- KontraS activist acid attack case: Prabowo promises to investigate ‘who ordered and paid’ and consider forming a TGPF.
- TNI detains four soldiers suspected in KontraS activist acid attack – ‘Prosecute perpetrators and intellectual masterminds in civilian courts’.