Indonesian Military Court Jails Four Officers Over Acid Attack on Rights Activist
An Indonesian military court on Wednesday sentenced four military officers to prison terms ranging from 18 months to three years for their involvement in an acid attack on human rights activist Andrie Yunus, a prominent critic of the military’s growing role in civilian affairs.
The court found the officers guilty of serious premeditated assault following the March 12 attack, in which Yunus suffered severe burns to his face and body after acid was thrown at him by assailants riding a motorcycle. The attack left him permanently scarred and caused significant damage to one of his eyes.
According to the ruling, one officer was sentenced to three years in prison, another received a sentence of two and a half years, while the remaining two officers were given jail terms of two years and one and a half years respectively. The defendants were members of military intelligence units and had been arrested shortly after investigators linked them to the assault.
Yunus serves as deputy coordinator of Kontras, the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence, one of Indonesia’s most prominent human rights organizations. He has been an outspoken critic of efforts to expand the military’s role in government and public institutions, frequently warning that such policies could weaken democratic oversight and civil liberties.
Prosecutors argued during the trial that the attack was motivated by resentment over Yunus public criticism of legal reforms that allow more military officers to occupy civilian government positions. The case quickly became a symbol of growing tensions between civil society groups and security institutions under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.
The acid attack triggered widespread condemnation from domestic and international human rights organizations. Activists questioned whether the assault was carried out solely by the four convicted officers or whether higher-ranking figures may have played a role. Rights groups have also criticized the decision to handle the case through a military court, arguing that civilian courts would provide greater transparency and independence.
Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission previously identified a broader network of individuals connected to the incident and called for further investigation. Human rights advocates continue to push authorities to examine whether the attack was part of a wider effort to intimidate government critics.
Despite the convictions, campaigners say the relatively short prison sentences may not fully reflect the seriousness of the crime. Nevertheless, the ruling represents one of the few instances in recent years in which active-duty military personnel have been held criminally responsible for violence against a civil society activist.
The case has intensified debate over the role of Indonesia’s armed forces in public life and raised concerns about the state of democratic freedoms in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Rights organizations have vowed to continue monitoring the investigation and pressing for accountability at all levels.
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