Pigai Calls for Appeal After Military Court Drops Dismissal of Soldiers in Acid Attack Case

Indonesia’s human rights minister, Natalius Pigai, has called for an appeal after a military appeals court removed the dismissal penalty for two soldiers in the acid attack case involving Andrie Yunus.

“

I ask the lawyers to file a cassation appeal, even if possible all the way to a judicial review.

The Military High Court accepted the defendants’ appeal and changed the earlier ruling issued by the Jakarta Military Court II-08 on June 10, 2026. The two defendants, members of the TNI Strategic Intelligence Agency’s headquarters detachment, had been accused of throwing acid at Yunus, the external deputy coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence, known as KontraS.

Pigai initially wrote on his personal X account that he wanted lawyers to file a cassation appeal, and, if possible, seek a judicial review. After CNN Indonesia asked whether he meant the military prosecutor, or oditur, who can file such an appeal on behalf of victims, Pigai confirmed that this was his intention.

“

Yes, that is correct, the military prosecutor.

“We respect the honorable judges’ decision, but it needs social sensitivity and justice,” Pigai wrote. “The sense of justice must be measured according to the victim, not according to other people, especially the perpetrator.” He said dismissal would be appropriate if the soldiers were proven to have committed the attack, arguing that the act harmed the country’s honor, the BAIS institution and the military. He also linked the case to the government’s efforts to protect human rights, democracy and civilian supremacy.

“

We respect the honorable judges’ decision, but it needs social sensitivity and justice. The sense of justice must be measured according to the victim, not according to other people, especially the perpetrator.