Indonesian rights activist Andrie Yunus injured in acid attack in Jakarta

A prominent Indonesian human rights activist was seriously injured after two men on a motorcycle splashed acid at him while he was riding through a street in Central Jakarta late at night, leaving him with burns across nearly a quarter of his body.

The attack occurred at around 11:30 pm on Thursday (12 March 2026) on Salemba I–Talang Street in Senen district, according to police, witnesses and civil society organisations.

The victim, Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), was riding a motorcycle when the assailants approached and threw acid at him.

CCTV footage circulating online shows two men riding a motorcycle repeatedly passing through the area before turning around and approaching Yunus. One of them then splashed acid at the activist.

The footage shows Yunus screaming in pain and dropping his motorcycle at the roadside.

“Ah… ah… ah… it’s burning… burning… burning. Acid… acid. Oh God, help… acid… acid… acid,” he shouted, according to footage seen by local media.

The chemical quickly caused severe burns. His clothing reportedly began to melt, forcing him to remove it as his skin blistered.

Residents who heard the screams rushed to help him.

“LBH? LBH?” one resident asked, referring to a legal aid organisation.

“KontraS,” Yunus replied.

One local resident, identified as Temu, said he ran to the scene after hearing cries for help.

“When I arrived, he was already covered in blood,” Temu said. “He was screaming in pain.”

Residents briefly attempted to pursue the attackers, but the suspects managed to escape.

Injuries and medical treatment

Yunus was later taken to Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Central Jakarta for treatment.

Medical examinations found that he had sustained burns covering 24 per cent of his body, particularly on his hands, face, chest and eye area, according to KontraS.

“He was attacked with acid by unidentified individuals, causing serious injuries across his body, particularly on the right and left hands, face, chest and eyes,” said Dimas Bagus Arya, coordinator of the KontraS Workers’ Body.

The victim is being treated by six doctors from different medical specialisations, including ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat (ENT), neurology, orthopaedics, thoracic medicine, internal medicine and dermatology.

Doctors have planned an eye operation involving an amniotic membrane graft under local anaesthesia.

According to police, Yunus has not yet been able to provide a formal statement as he continues to recover.

“The victim is still undergoing treatment and has been diagnosed with burns covering 24 per cent of his body,” said Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, head of public relations at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police.

“He cannot yet be questioned as the focus is on his recovery first. Investigators from Central Jakarta Police and the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police are still conducting a scientific investigation to identify the perpetrators,” he said.

Timeline before the attack

KontraS said the incident occurred shortly after Yunus had completed recording a podcast at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) office in Jakarta.

The discussion focused on the topic “Remilitarisation and Judicial Review in Indonesia.”

Earlier that day, Yunus had attended a meeting at the Centre of Economic and Law Studies (Celios) to discuss follow-up steps related to an investigative report by a fact-finding commission examining the August 2025 protests.

At around 11:37 pm, while riding his motorcycle along Salemba I–Talang Street, Yunus was approached by two men travelling in the opposite direction on a motorcycle.

The suspects then attacked him with acid.

According to KontraS, none of Yunus’s belongings were stolen during the incident.

Description of the suspects

Investigators and rights groups say the attack was carried out by two men riding the same motorcycle, acting as driver and passenger.

The vehicle is believed to have been a Honda Beat scooter produced between 2016 and 2021.

The suspected driver was described as wearing a white and blue shirt, dark trousers believed to be jeans and a black helmet.

The passenger reportedly wore a black face covering resembling a buff mask covering half his face, a dark blue shirt and blue trousers rolled up to appear shorter.

After throwing the acid, the suspects fled towards Salemba I Street in the direction of Salemba Raya.

During their escape, one of the attackers reportedly dropped a stainless steel cup, believed to have been used to carry the acid.

Police later visited the scene to conduct a forensic examination and collect evidence, including CCTV recordings.

Suspicious incidents before the assault

KontraS said Yunus had previously experienced intimidation and threats related to his work as a human rights activist.

An unidentified person reportedly visited Yunus’s family home on 16 January 2026, seeking information about him and his relatives.

Three days before the attack, another unidentified individual also visited the KontraS dormitory but left after being approached.

Witnesses also reported seeing a slightly balding man appear at the scene shortly after the attack and asking whether the injured man was from KontraS or the Legal Aid Institute (LBH). KontraS said it is still attempting to determine the person’s identity.

Police investigation

Jakarta Metropolitan Police Chief Inspector General Asep Edi Suheri said investigators are continuing to pursue the case.

“The investigation is ongoing. My officers are still working, working hard,” Asep told journalists.

Authorities are analysing CCTV footage and other evidence as part of the investigation.

KontraS and ISHR joint statement

KontraS and the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) issued a joint statement condemning the attack and calling for a thorough investigation.

The organisations described the incident as a premeditated and brutal assault against a human rights defender and urged Indonesian authorities to identify both the direct perpetrators and those who may have organised the attack.

They called on the government to ensure protection for Yunus and other activists and to allow independent monitoring of the investigation by Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission.

The statement said the attack highlighted ongoing risks faced by human rights defenders in Indonesia and warned that failure to hold those responsible accountable could reinforce public perceptions of impunity.

Condemnation and reactions

Indonesia’s Minister for Human Rights, Natalius Pigai, condemned the attack.

“We must not allow thuggery to exist in this country. This is a peaceful nation and violence, especially acid attacks against the people of Indonesia, must never happen,” Pigai said at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta.

He urged police to conduct a thorough investigation for the sake of justice for the victim and his family.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, also expressed concern about the incident.

“Those responsible for this cowardly act of violence must be held accountable. Human rights defenders must be protected in their vital work and must be able to speak out on issues of public interest without fear,” he said in a message shared by the United Nations in Indonesia.

Activist background

Yunus has been active in advocating for human rights issues in Indonesia, particularly in areas related to security sector reform, oversight of violence and accountability in controversial cases.

He has publicly criticised proposals to revise the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) Law, which some civil society groups argue could lead to remilitarisation.

In March 2025, Yunus was among activists who protested against discussions on the TNI Law revision during a meeting between government officials and members of parliament at the Fairmont Hotel in Jakarta.

The demonstration, organised by the Civil Society Coalition for Security Sector Reform, briefly disrupted the meeting as activists demanded that the deliberations be halted.

Calls for investigation

KontraS said the acid attack appeared to be an attempt to silence critical voices in society, particularly human rights defenders.

“This incident must receive immediate and broad attention from various parties, including law enforcement agencies and civil society,” Dimas said.

Former anti-corruption investigator Novel Baswedan, who was himself the victim of an acid attack in 2017, described the assault as “attempted murder.”

He said CCTV footage showed the perpetrators throwing acid directly at Yunus’s face, which could potentially cause respiratory failure and death.

Legal experts have also raised the possibility that the case could fall under attempted premeditated murder provisions in Indonesia’s criminal law if evidence shows the attack was planned.

Police say the investigation is ongoing as Yunus continues to receive treatment for his injuries.