JAKARTA – Four Indonesian military officers are on trial for allegedly carrying out a premeditated acid attack against human rights activist Andrie Yunus, a deputy coordinator with the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras). The indictment was read during a public hearing at the Jakarta Military Court on Wednesday.
Charges and Allegations
The defendants – Capt. Nandala Dwi Prasetyo, First Lt. Budhi Hariyanto Widhi, First Lt. Sami Lakka, and Second Lt. Edi Sudarko – all assigned to the TNI’s Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) – face charges under the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP). Prosecutors allege their actions meet the elements of premeditated serious assault, carrying a potential sentence of up to 12 years in prison, as well as causing serious injury, punishable by up to eight years.
According to the indictment, the officers allegedly considered Yunus to have “insulted and even trampled on the dignity of the military institution” after he interrupted the deliberations at the Fairmont Hotel in Central Jakarta. Prosecutors allege that a year later, in March 2026, the defendants discussed Yunus and began planning the assault.
Details of the Alleged Attack
The indictment details how one of the defendants allegedly obtained “used battery water” and rust cleaning spray from the BAIS car repair shop, mixing them in a drinking bottle. On March 12, the defendants allegedly tracked Yunus’s movements near the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office in Central Jakarta before carrying out the attack close to midnight.
Yunus remains in intensive care, suffering from burns covering approximately 20 percent of his body.
What’s Next?
All four defendants are currently detained by investigators from the Military Police Headquarters (Puspom TNI). Their detention has been extended, and the next hearing is scheduled for May 6. It is possible the trial could draw further scrutiny, as rights groups have previously called for a public trial. An independent probe conducted by a civil group coalition suggests the attack may have involved more than a dozen perpetrators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the defendants in this case?
The defendants are Capt. Nandala Dwi Prasetyo, First Lt. Budhi Hariyanto Widhi, First Lt. Sami Lakka, and Second Lt. Edi Sudarko.
What charges are the defendants facing?
The defendants are charged with premeditated serious assault and causing serious injury under the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP).
What was Andrie Yunus doing before the alleged attack?
Andrie Yunus, a deputy coordinator with Kontras, had interrupted closed-door deliberations by members of the House of Representatives (DPR) on revisions to the TNI Law.
Will this case lead to broader reforms within the Indonesian military and its relationship with civilian activists?
