TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - UN experts have expressed dismay over the use of military court proceedings in the acid attack case targeting Indonesian human rights defender Andrie Yunus, calling instead for a public trial under the civilian justice system.
“The use of a military trial in a case involving an extreme and targeted acid attack on a civilian raises serious concern regarding accountability, independence, and transparency,” the experts said as quoted from the press release today, June 4.
On March 12, 2026, Andrie Yunus was subjected to an acid attack in Central Jakarta, immediately after he recorded a podcast on the militarization of civil and political affairs in Indonesia. The assault has caused severe and permanent injuries requiring long-term treatment, including acid burns affecting the eyes, skin, and joints.
Following the incident, four members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces were detained, subsequently charged, and have been on trial before the Jakarta II-08 Military Court since April 29, 2026.
“The processing of this case through the military justice system risks perpetuating longstanding patterns of impunity and fragmented accountability in Indonesia’s dual justice system, particularly in cases involving alleged human rights violations by military personnel,” the experts warned.
They underscored that military courts in Indonesia have historically resulted in limited public access and lacked the institutional mechanisms necessary to hold higher-ranking officials accountable.
“The decision to issue the defendants with a lesser charge of ‘premeditated aggravated assault’ does not adequately account for the severity and impact of this life-threatening attack. The framing of the crime as a ‘personal vendetta’ obscures the identification of the intellectual authors behind this premeditated attack and dilutes institutional responsibility,” the experts said.
They called for investigation and prosecution of this grave attack within the civilian justice system to guarantee impartiality, transparency, and public scrutiny, in line with international human rights standards. They also urged the Indonesian government to ensure Andrie Yunus’ protection and guarantee his continued access to specialised medical care.
The UN experts confirmed that they remain in active communication with the Indonesian government regarding this matter.
Read: Four TNI Officers Face 2.5-Year Prison Terms Over Acid Attack Case
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