On 20 May 2026, proceedings at the Jakarta II-08 Military Court heard expert medical testimony confirming that human rights activist and KontraS Deputy Coordinator, Mr Andrie Yunus, suffered permanent injuries following the acid attack allegedly carried out by four Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel on 12 March 2026 in Jakarta. Medical experts from Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo National Hospital (RSCM) testified that Yunus sustained severe burns over approximately 20% of his body and permanent damage to his right eye, which is now reportedly only capable of perceiving light.
According to ophthalmologist Dr Faraby Martha, the victim’s eye injury reached “scale three out of four” in severity and is unlikely to recover to normal function. During questioning by the military judges, the expert acknowledged that the injury could be categorised as a permanent disability. Plastic surgeon Dr Parintosa Atmodiwirjo further explained that the burns penetrated the full thickness of the skin, requiring skin graft procedures and prolonged medical recovery.
The proceedings have attracted widespread criticism from civil society organisations and human rights defenders. During the hearings, defence lawyers asked the medical experts to compare the injuries suffered by the accused soldiers, who allegedly sustained minor splash injuries from the acid themselves, with the injuries suffered by Yunus. The experts stated that the injuries sustained by the defendants were superficial and fundamentally different from the severe injuries inflicted upon the victim.
Human rights advocates have also raised concerns regarding the conduct and impartiality of the military court. The Advocacy Team for Democracy (TAUD), representing Yunus, reported three judges to the Supreme Court’s supervisory chamber for alleged ethical violations, including statements perceived as trivialising the attack and remarks allegedly implying how the acid attack could have been carried out “properly”. TAUD further criticised attempts by the court to pressure Mr Yunus into attending hearings despite medical advice warning of infection risks and psychological harm.
TAUD further escalated concerns regarding the integrity of the proceedings by formally reporting the panel of judges at the Jakarta II-08 Military Court to the Supreme Court (Mahkamah Agung) and the Judicial Commission (Komisi Yudisial) on 18 May 2026 for alleged violations of judicial ethics and codes of conduct. According to TAUD, the complaint concerns the conduct of judges Freddy Ferdian Isnartanto, Irwan Tasri, and Zainal Abidin during the trial. The three judges allegedly made inappropriate remarks describing the perpetrators as “stupid”, handling evidence without protective gloves, and conduct perceived as attempting to pressure Andrie Yunus into appearing before the court despite medical and security concerns. TAUD requested that the Supreme Court and Judicial Commission summon and examine the judges, issue disciplinary sanctions, and directly monitor the military proceedings. The Judicial Commission confirmed that it has been monitoring the trial since early May 2026 and is examining allegations of ethical misconduct while continuing to emphasise respect for judicial independence.
On 11 May 2026, Mr Yunus publicly refused to attend court hearings, citing fears of intimidation and concerns that the proceedings were biased in favour of the accused military personnel. His legal team argued that the military justice system lacks independence and impartiality when adjudicating crimes committed by members of the armed forces. TAUD also demanded that all alleged perpetrators, including at least 16 individuals reportedly identified during independent investigations, be prosecuted before civilian courts rather than military tribunals.
Former Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator Novel Baswedan, himself a survivor of an acid attack in 2017, strongly criticised the conduct of the proceedings. Baswedan stated that the court appeared to disregard the rights and suffering of the victim and warned that comments downplaying the severity of acid attacks were deeply troubling. He emphasised that acid attacks constitute extremely serious acts of violence causing long-term physical and psychological suffering.
The four accused TNI members, Second Sergeant Edi Sudarko, First Lieutenant Budhi Hariyanto Widhi, Captain Nandala Dwi Prasetyo, and First Lieutenant Sami Lakka, are charged under multiple provisions of Indonesia’s Criminal Code (KUHP). Prosecutors allege that the attack was motivated by resentment over Yunus’ criticism of revisions to the TNI Law and his interruption of a closed parliamentary meeting concerning the legislation in March 2025.
