Four TNI Soldiers Sentenced to 2.5 Years for Acid Attack on Activist

Four soldiers from the Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) have been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for an acid attack on activist Andrie Yunus. The military court in Jakarta handed down the sentences on Wednesday.

The prosecution argued that the soldiers' actions were a betrayal of their military oath and damaged the TNI's reputation, while also causing severe injury to the victim. The defense highlighted that the soldiers had no prior convictions, were remorseful, and had been truthful during the proceedings.

Reports indicate the soldiers acted out of revenge or anger after Yunus allegedly insulted the TNI during a closed meeting at the DPR in March 2025. This incident occurred during discussions on revising the TNI Law.

The victim, Andrie Yunus, who is the Deputy Coordinator for External Affairs at the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), is still undergoing intensive treatment at the Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital (RSCM). His lawyers have expressed distrust in the military court system, citing concerns about impunity, and have refused to allow him to testify, stating he is only a potential additional witness. The court had sought his testimony, but it was not included in the case file.

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We ask the Military Court II-08 Jakarta to impose a prison sentence on the defendants.