TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, Andrie Yunus, has sent a letter to President Prabowo Subianto urging that his acid attack case be tried in civilian court and calling for the formation of an independent Joint Fact-Finding Team (TGPF).
“We also brought a letter directly from Andrie Yunus, written by him, to be submitted to the State Secretariat Ministry,” KontraS coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya said at the gate of the State Secretariat in Jakarta on Friday.
Dimas said the civilian judicial process under the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) is the most appropriate legal forum for resolving the case, in line with Andrie’s own position. He added that the nature of the acid attack falls under general criminal law, rather than military jurisdiction.
Military criminal law, he explained, is regulated under Law No. 31/1997 and Law No. 3/2005, and generally applies to offenses related to military duties, desertion, or conduct during armed conflict. In contrast, general criminal law applies when soldiers commit offenses outside their official military functions.
“The problem is that there has been no revision to the Military Justice Law, and it is currently also being reviewed through judicial review at the Constitutional Court,” he said.
Dimas reaffirmed that the acid attack case against Andrie should be handled in civilian court. “We reiterate that this case is more appropriate to be resolved in a general court forum,” he said.
The coalition is also pushing for the establishment of an independent TGPF, arguing that there are legal and political obstacles in the handling of the case.
Dimas said there are differing interpretations regarding the motive of the attack, with military prosecutors describing it as a personal dispute.
However, the Civil Society Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD), based on independent investigation and CCTV analysis, identified at least 16 individuals involved, far more than the four suspects currently charged, and alleged that planning and surveillance took place prior to the attack.
He added that key elements of premeditation have not yet been fully disclosed by authorities.
The letter is supported by several civil society organizations, including Indonesia Corruption Watch, SAFEnet, Legal Aid Foundation for the People, Greenpeace, and Amnesty International Indonesia.
Below is the full letter written by Andrie Yunus, read by TAUD member Fatia Maulidyanti:
Jakarta, April 17, 2026
To:
President of the Republic of Indonesia
Mr. Prabowo Subianto
More than 30 days have passed. What is the progress of my case?
On Sunday, April 12, 2026, it marked 30 days since the attempted premeditated murder against me through an acid attack. I am writing this letter because I see no meaningful progress or serious effort in resolving this case.
My colleagues at KontraS and TAUD, acting as my legal representatives, have made various efforts to seek justice, including independent investigations, attending a public hearing with Commission III of the House of Representatives, and filing a Type B report to the Criminal Investigation Agency of the National Police (Bareskrim Polri).
TAUD’s investigation has identified at least 16 perpetrators on the ground, strengthening my rejection of military court proceedings.
In various cases involving civilians harmed by military personnel, including forced disappearances, killings, torture, and domestic violence, military courts have never delivered justice, accountability, or full institutional responsibility up to the chain of command. This only perpetuates a record of impunity.
Several parties, including Commission III of the House of Representatives during a hearing, have emphasized the importance of prioritizing the victim’s interests and legal principles in this case.
Therefore, I strongly urge the establishment of an independent Joint Fact-Finding Team (TGPF) to bring this case into civilian jurisdiction and ensure transparency in identifying all involved parties, including intellectual actors.
Although military court proceedings may continue, they lack legitimacy due to the absence of transparency in investigation and evidence disclosure by the Military Police Center (Puspom TNI).
I hope the state does not take steps that obscure the legal process.
As a victim of violence by military personnel, I urge the President of the Republic of Indonesia to immediately establish a TGPF and ensure that this case is handled in civilian court.
I ask the President to ensure that this case is processed under due process of law, with civilian courts as the legitimate, credible, and impartial forum.
This case is not only about me, but about the state’s commitment to protecting its citizens and upholding justice.
Sincerely,
Andrie Yunus
