March 14, 2026 | 02:37 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator Novel Baswedan has suggested that the acid attack on human rights activist Andrie Yunus was a coordinated effort, likely involving more than the two individuals who carried out the assault.
Novel, who survived a similar acid attack in 2017, believes the attack was intended to kill.
“I am convinced the attack aimed to kill. Why? The perpetrators targeted the face. If the face is hit with acid, it can cause respiratory failure and death,” Novel said during a press conference at the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) building in Central Jakarta on Friday, March 13, 2026.
Novel said he had reviewed CCTV footage of the incident and observed indications that the attack may have been organized.
“The perpetrators likely coordinated through gestures to carry out the attack on Andrie at the scene. I am certain this was organized. It wasn’t just two people on one motorcycle,” he added.
Andrie Yunus, the Deputy Coordinator for External Affairs at the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS), was attacked by two unknown individuals on March 12, 2026, at the intersection of Jalan Salemba I and Jalan Talang in Central Jakarta.
KontraS Coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya said that Andrie had just finished recording a podcast titled “Remilitarization and Judicial Review in Indonesia” at YLBHI around 11:00 PM local time before stopping at a gas station in the Cikini area. He then continued riding his motorcycle when the attackers approached.
According to Dimas, the two motorcyclists initially passed Andrie before turning back to pour the corrosive chemical over the front of his body, causing him to collapse onto the street.
“The victim immediately screamed in pain and dropped his motorcycle,” Dimas said.
The acid partially melted Andrie’s clothing, and medical examinations showed he suffered serious burns covering 24 percent of his body. Passersby rushed to his aid after hearing his cries. The perpetrators reportedly dropped a stainless steel container during their escape and are believed to have fled toward Jalan Salemba Raya, Central Jakarta.
As of the time of reporting, Andrie Yunus remains under intensive care at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM).
Dian Rahma Fika Alnina contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: YLBHI Challenges Police to Solve Acid Attack on Andrie Yunus
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