Amidst growing concerns about military accountability in Indonesia, a military court has sentenced four service members to prison terms for their involvement in an acid attack against a noted human rights activist. This case has sparked criticism from rights groups and prompted calls for further investigation into potential higher-level involvement.
The convicted individuals, three navy marines and an air force officer, were found guilty of attacking Andrie Yunus, a human rights lawyer with the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS). The attack occurred in March when Yunus was assaulted with hydrochloric acid in Jakarta, resulting in severe injuries and permanent damage to his right eye.
The Jakarta Military Court delivered varied prison sentences to the four men. Sgt. Edi Sudarko received the longest sentence of three years, while First Lt. Budhi Hariyanto Widhi Cahyono was sentenced to two and a half years. Capt. Nandala Dwi Prasetya and Lt. Sami Lakka were sentenced to two years and 18 months, respectively. Sudarko and Cahyono, identified as the primary instigators, were also dismissed from their military positions.
“The defendants, as TNI service members, betrayed their duties by deliberately throwing acid at Andrie Yunus,” stated presiding military judge Fredy Isnartanto. “Their actions damaged the image of the Indonesian military and demonstrated clear arrogance. The attack inflicted trauma and suffering on the victim and caused permanent damage to his eye.”
Despite the verdict, rights groups have voiced concerns about the trial’s outcome. Amnesty International Indonesia criticized the light sentences and expressed fear that the trial might become a “show trial,” urging for the prosecution of those who may have orchestrated the attack in civilian courts.
The Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has initiated an in-depth investigation, highlighting that the assault may have been a coordinated operation involving more individuals beyond the four convicted. They found multiple human rights violations, including breaches of security, freedom from torture, and access to justice.
Prosecutors initially sought two and a half years imprisonment for each defendant, arguing that the actions stemmed from personal motives rather than official orders. The attack was allegedly prompted by Yunus’ criticisms of the military, particularly following his involvement in protests against proposed changes to Indonesia’s military laws.
Due to ongoing medical treatments and distrust in the military justice system, Yunus did not participate in the trial. His legal representation, the Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD), emphasized Yunus’ ongoing recovery from skin graft surgeries and lack of faith in the military court.
Recently, the South Jakarta District Court partially approved Yunus’ pretrial motion, instructing Jakarta Police to extend their investigation to ensure thorough accountability. This decision aligns with Komnas HAM’s pressure on law enforcement to uncover additional perpetrators, potentially including civilians, as suggested by the involvement of over a dozen individuals in the attack.
This case has reignited concerns about military impunity in Indonesia, reminiscent of unresolved cases like the 2004 murder of Munir Said Thalib, another prominent human rights figure.
