Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator for the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), was subjected to an acid attack by unidentified assailants. Jane Rosalina, a KontraS representative, emphasized that this assault cannot be dismissed as a mere act of violence. She pointed out that the method employed by the perpetrators—spraying dangerous chemical liquid onto the victim’s vital body parts—strongly indicates a premeditated attack.
“This assault shows strong indications of being a planned and organized act,” Jane stated during a press conference held at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office in Jakarta on Monday, March 16.
According to Jane, the assailants directly sprayed corrosive liquid onto Andrie’s face and respiratory area. This method, she noted, carries the potential to be life-threatening or, at the very least, cause permanent disability. Consequently, KontraS views this incident as an alleged attempt at premeditated murder, demanding a serious and thorough investigation by law enforcement authorities.
In response to the gravity of the case, the police have initiated an extensive investigation, gathering several clues to identify and apprehend those responsible for the heinous acid attack. The following are the significant steps taken by the police in their ongoing inquiry:
Helmet Belonging to Suspected Perpetrator Recovered
Police confirmed the recovery of a helmet believed to belong to one of the perpetrators involved in the acid attack on Andrie Yunus. Investigators discovered the helmet on Jalan Salemba 1, leading towards RSCM, Central Jakarta, shortly after the incident occurred on Thursday, March 12.
“Subsequently, during a search along Jalan Salemba 1, evidence suspected to belong to the perpetrator was found on Jalan Salemba 1 leading to RSCM,” explained Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Senior Commissioner Reynold Hutagalung, during a press briefing at the Metro Jaya Regional Police headquarters on Monday, March 16.
Reynold further affirmed the helmet’s authenticity, stating that it matches CCTV footage showing the perpetrator wearing it. “This is consistent with CCTV recordings showing the rider using that helmet,” he added, underscoring the validity of the evidence.
The helmet has since been transferred to the National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim Polri) for further examination. Reynold mentioned that the investigation into this crucial piece of evidence commenced on Sunday, March 15.
“On March 15, 2026, the helmet, suspected to belong to the perpetrator, was sent to Pusinafis (Indonesian Automatic Fingerprint Identification System Center) at Bareskrim Polri to obtain fingerprints,” Reynold elaborated. In addition to fingerprint analysis, he revealed that the helmet was also submitted to the Bareskrim Polri Forensic Laboratory Center (Puslabfor) for DNA testing.
Seven Witnesses Interviewed
Law enforcement officials have interviewed seven witnesses critical to the case, categorizing them into two distinct groups. The first group consists of four witnesses present at the scene where Andrie Yunus was attacked with acid.
“Investigators have conducted interviews with four witnesses who saw, heard, and were in the vicinity of the crime scene,” stated Senior Commissioner Reynold Hutagalung at the Metro Jaya Regional Police press conference on Monday, March 16. These witnesses include CCTV owners, individuals who assisted Andrie Yunus, and those who attempted to pursue the perpetrators at the crime scene on Jalan Salemba 1, Central Jakarta, on Thursday, March 12.
The second cluster of witnesses comprises three police officers: First Inspector Dede Saepudin, who filed the initial report; Brigadier Redho Feris, a member of the Central Jakarta Metro Police identification team; and Second Inspector Faisal, who discovered Andrie’s helmet.
Victim Followed from YLBHI Office
Police suspect that Andrie Yunus was meticulously followed by four perpetrators from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office, located on Jalan Diponegoro, Central Jakarta, on Thursday, March 12.
“From the Jakarta LBH (YLBHI), friends, the perpetrators began following the victim after he finished an event there, continuously monitoring his movements,” revealed Metro Jaya Regional Police Criminal Investigation Director, Senior Commissioner Iman Imannudin, during a press briefing at the Metro Jaya Regional Police headquarters on Monday, March 16.
Iman detailed that after Andrie concluded his podcast at the YLBHI office, he briefly refueled his vehicle at the Cikini Raya gas station. During this time, the perpetrators were reportedly waiting for Andrie in front of KFC Cikini. “The victim did not go directly to the crime scene but first refueled at the Cikini Raya gas station, and was followed by the perpetrators,” Iman explained. “Subsequently, four suspected perpetrators, riding two motorcycles, are believed to have waited for the victim in front of KFC Cikini,” he added.
Following this, Andrie reportedly made a U-turn towards Jalan Pangeran Diponegoro and proceeded onto Jalan Salemba I. Throughout this route, Andrie was continuously tailed until the acid attack was carried out.
86 CCTV Cameras Analyzed
In a comprehensive effort to identify the perpetrators, investigators meticulously analyzed footage from 86 surveillance cameras (CCTV) strategically located across Jakarta.
“Seven CCTV points were sourced from the Electronic Traffic Law Enforcement (ETLE) system, 27 points from Diskominfo, and 8 points from the Transportation Agency. Additionally, 44 CCTV points were obtained from private citizens,” stated Senior Commissioner Iman Imannudin, Metro Jaya Regional Police Criminal Investigation Director, during a press conference at the Metro Jaya Regional Police on Monday, March 16.
The rigorous analysis conducted by investigators involved sifting through over 2,000 images and more than 10,000 minutes of video footage. “From the 86 surveillance camera points we analyzed, there are 2,610 video images totaling 10,320 minutes. This required us to dedicate several days to digitally analyze the CCTV recordings along the route taken by the perpetrators,” Iman clarified.
This extensive CCTV analysis was initiated after police received information and reports concerning the attack on Andrie. Beyond surveillance footage, police also undertook an analysis of communication channels. Based on these analyses, investigators were able to reconstruct the movements of the four suspected perpetrators, riding two motorcycles, from before they started following Andrie, throughout the pursuit leading to the attack, and until they dispersed.
Perpetrators Exhibited Composure
Police have revealed that the suspected perpetrators displayed a remarkable level of composure while executing their brazen act. This conclusion was drawn by police following their detailed digital analysis of the incident as it unfolded.
“So, were they well-trained? Over several days of digital analysis, we observed that the movements of these perpetrators indeed showed composure,” stated Senior Commissioner Iman Imannudin, Metro Jaya Regional Police Criminal Investigation Director, at the Metro Jaya Regional Police on Monday, March 16.
Iman highlighted that this composure was evident as the perpetrators transitioned from one location to another, including their pursuit of Andrie from the YLBHI until the acid attack itself. “A sense of calm was evident in their journey from one point to another in the lead-up to the incident,” Iman emphasized.
However, Iman noted that immediately after carrying out the attack, the four suspected perpetrators on two motorcycles accelerated significantly, moving at a much higher speed than before.
Summary
Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator for the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), was subjected to an acid attack by unidentified assailants. KontraS asserts that this was a premeditated act, potentially an attempted murder, due to the method of spraying dangerous chemical liquid onto vital body parts. They demand a serious and thorough investigation from law enforcement authorities.
In response, police launched an extensive investigation, recovering a helmet believed to belong to a perpetrator for fingerprint and DNA analysis. Investigators interviewed seven witnesses and meticulously analyzed footage from 86 CCTV cameras to reconstruct the movements of four suspected perpetrators who allegedly followed Andrie from the YLBHI office until the attack. Police noted that the perpetrators exhibited composure before the assault but accelerated significantly afterward.