Indonesian military prosecutors have charged four officers in connection with a brutal acid attack on a prominent activist, seeking a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. The attack, which occurred on March 12, left Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), with severe burns to 20 percent of his face and body.
Details of the Attack
According to court documents, the four officers from the military's intelligence unit allegedly carried out the attack because they felt insulted by Yunus's activism against the expanding role of the armed forces in civilian government. Prosecutor Mohammad Iswadi stated during a military court hearing that the suspects used a mixture of car battery acid and rust remover in the assault.
Victim's Condition and Response
Yunus suffered permanent scarring and significant damage to his right eye. The attack has drawn condemnation both locally and internationally. President Prabowo Subianto, a retired general, described the attack as an act of terrorism and pledged a thorough investigation.
Yunus had recently recorded a podcast episode criticizing the military's growing powers, which prosecutors say prompted the attack. The four officers, whose ranks range from captain to second sergeant, attended the hearing. Reuters was unable to reach them or their legal representatives for comment.
Broader Concerns
Indonesia's top human rights watchdog, Komnas HAM, has identified at least 14 individuals linked to the attack. The watchdog expressed concern that the case being handled in a military court could lead to lenient treatment and urged police to investigate the other suspects in civilian courts.
The attack has heightened fears about the erosion of democratic values in Indonesia, the world's third-largest democracy. Under President Prabowo, the military's involvement in civilian sectors and state-run businesses has increased significantly, raising alarms among rights groups.
