Indonesia Arrests Military Officers Amid Chemical Attack on Activist

Jakarta, Indonesia – Indonesian authorities have arrested four military officers in connection with a chemical attack on Andrie Yunus, a 27-year-old activist known for his criticism of the Indonesian security forces and investigations into their conduct during last year’s protests. The attack, which occurred on the night of March 12 in Central Jakarta, has sparked outrage among human rights groups.

Verified CCTV footage shows Yunus screaming in agony and removing his clothing as bystanders rushed to assist him. He had been riding his motorbike home after recording a podcast discussing the increasing role of the military in civilian affairs when two individuals on a motorbike passed and threw a liquid at him.

Yunus, an activist with the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), is currently hospitalized with eye damage and burns covering more than 20% of his body.

Arrests and Investigation

On Thursday, Indonesian authorities announced the arrest of six individuals, including the four military officers from the intelligence unit. The identities of the other two suspects and their connection to the attack remain unclear.

The Indonesian government has stated that legal proceedings will be carried out “firmly, transparently, and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations,” praising the military and police for their swift action in the case.

Concerns Over Military Expansion and Human Rights

The attack has raised concerns among human rights organizations, who believe it is part of a broader pattern of intimidation by the Indonesian military. A letter signed by nearly 700 organizations and individuals worldwide, including 26 from Australia, condemned the attack and highlighted the vulnerability of human rights defenders in Indonesia.

The letter expressed concern that President Prabowo Subianto may be mirroring the approach of former autocrat Suharto by expanding the military’s role in public life and appointing active-duty officers to government positions.

Yunus had previously interrupted a closed-door meeting of politicians discussing laws that would expand the military’s authority. He was as well a member of a fact-finding commission that investigated the actions of security forces during mass protests in August of last year. The commission’s report found that security forces had “used force disproportionately, conducted mass arrests, committed alleged torture, and the large-scale criminalisation against activists and civilians.”

Bilateral Defense Ties

Despite these concerns, Indonesia and Singapore have been working to enhance their defense ties, including cooperation in cybersecurity. An agreement to this effect was reached in July 2025. The Singapore Army and the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD) successfully completed the 37th edition of Exercise Safkar Indopura in Singapore in October 2025, demonstrating continued bilateral military cooperation.

In a separate incident in September 2025, the Indonesian military confirmed that a Singapore Air Force aircraft entered Indonesian airspace legally, with appropriate permission granted by the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) Headquarters.