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Four Military Personnel Sentenced to Prison for Acid Attack in Indonesia
A military court in Indonesia found four military personnel guilty in connection with an acid attack on human rights activist Andrie Yunus. The defendants received prison sentences ranging from 1.5 to 3 years.
A military court in Indonesia sentenced four military personnel to prison for their involvement in an acid attack against human rights activist Andrie Yunus. The verdict came amid ongoing debates about the military's expanding role in civilian life.
The court ruled that the four defendants, linked to the attack, were guilty of "premeditated grievous assault." One defendant received a three-year sentence, another two and a half years, a third two years, and the fourth one and a half years in prison.
It was revealed that all convicted individuals were affiliated with the military's Strategic Intelligence Agency. Judge Fredy Ferdian Isnartanto stated that Edi Sudarko, Budi Hariyanto Widhi Cahyono, Nandala Dwi Prasetia, and Sami Lakka exhibited "arrogant behavior."
The attack occurred in March
Twenty-seven-year-old Andrie Yunus was attacked on March 12 while riding a motorcycle in Jakarta. Two individuals on another motorcycle threw acid on Yunus, resulting in the loss of one eye and burns covering more than 20% of his face and body.
The trial against the defendants began in April and attracted attention both domestically and internationally. Experts viewed the attack as part of a broader pattern of repression linked to growing military influence and concerns over democratic backsliding in Indonesia.
Prosecutors: Anger was the motive, no official orders
Prosecutors argued in court that the accused soldiers acted out of anger toward Yunus's activism. However, they did not claim the attack was carried out under official orders.
The maximum penalty for premeditated assault could have been up to 12 years, but the court imposed lighter sentences.
Yunus had requested the case be tried in a civilian court due to concerns about military infiltration and cover-ups. He also expressed distrust in the military court, believing attacks on activists in Indonesia often go unpunished.
For health reasons and lack of trust in the court, Yunus did not attend any hearings.
International reaction also followed
The United Nations condemned the attack. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk described the incident as a "cowardly act of violence."
UN Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor called the attack "horrific." The verdict has reignited discussions in Indonesia about attacks on activists and the military's influence in civilian affairs.
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