Indonesian Military Court Sentences Four Officers to 12–15 Years for Acid Attack on Rights Advocate

The Indonesian military court sentenced four officers to 12–15 years in prison for attacking human rights advocate Andrie Yunus with sulfuric acid in 2021, according to court records and reports from local news outlets. The attack, which left Yunus with severe facial injuries, occurred during a protest against land rights violations in West Java, authorities said.

What Led to the Sentencing?

The court found the officers guilty of assault and violating military regulations, citing evidence that they used acid to deter protesters, according to a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense. Yunus, a lawyer and activist with the Indonesian Human Rights Commission, had been documenting land seizures by a palm oil company when the attack took place, as reported by ANTARA News.

The prosecution argued that the acid attack was a “brutal escalation” to suppress dissent, while the defense claimed the officers acted in self-defense during a chaotic protest. The case drew international attention, with human rights groups condemning the violence and calling for accountability.

Why Are Rights Groups Critical of the Verdict?

Several organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, described the sentences as “disproportionately lenient” compared to similar cases. “A 15-year term for an attack that caused lifelong trauma is a failure of justice,” said a statement from Human Rights Watch. In 2019, a civilian convicted of a similar acid attack received a 20-year sentence, according to court data.

Yunus’s family expressed disappointment, stating the punishment did not reflect the severity of the crime. “This is not justice—it’s a message that violence against activists is tolerated,” said his brother, Bambang Yunus, in an interview with The Jakarta Post.

What Happens Next?

The officers have 14 days to appeal the decision, according to military court procedures. Meanwhile, activists are pushing for broader reforms to protect human rights defenders. “This case highlights the urgent need for legal safeguards against retaliation,” said a representative from the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, citing a 2022 report on violence against activists.

The government has pledged to review the case, but critics argue that systemic challenges persist. In 2023, the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights documented 120 incidents of violence against activists, with only 15% resulting in criminal charges.