Indonesian military prosecutors are seeking two-and-a-half years in prison for each of four soldiers charged in connection with an acid attack on a human rights activist who had been critical of the military's expanding role in government. The attack occurred in March when two men on a scooter threw acid at Andrie Yunus, a 27-year-old activist with the KontraS rights group, while he was riding a motorbike. He had just finished recording a podcast discussing the military's influence on the Indonesian government.
Details of the Attack and Charges
Andrie Yunus suffered severe injuries, including the loss of sight in one eye. Four members of the military's Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) were arrested. The head of BAIS, Yudi Abrimantyo, resigned, with officials describing this as a form of accountability. The defendants—Edi Sudarko, 45; Budi Hariyanto Widhi Cahyono, 43; Nandala Dwi Prasetia, 40; and Sami Lakka, 41—are charged with premeditated assault.
Prosecution's Argument
Prosecutor Wasinton Marpaung told a military court in Jakarta that the defendants' actions constituted an extrajudicial act of revenge, causing physical suffering to the victim and reputational damage to the military. The prosecution contends that the soldiers acted on their own initiative, not under orders, driven by anger over Andrie and another activist interrupting a lawmaker's meeting in 2025 to protest a revision to Indonesia's armed forces law.
Background of the Law Revision
The amendment to the armed forces law, passed by parliament last year, expanded the number of government ministries and state institutions where active-duty military personnel can serve from 10 to 14. This expansion has been a point of contention among activists who fear increasing military influence in civilian affairs.
Demand for Civilian Trial
Andrie and other activists have called for the trial to be held in a civilian court rather than a military one, citing fears of a cover-up. In Indonesia, attacks on activists are rarely punished, raising concerns about the impartiality of military proceedings.
