Trial Opens for Four Indonesian Service Members in Acid Attack on Activist
Trial Opens for Four Indonesian Service Members in Acid Attack on Activist
A military court in Indonesia has opened the trial of four service members charged with carrying out an acid attack on a prominent human rights activist, drawing renewed attention to military accountability.
Jakarta — A military court in Indonesia has opened the trial of four service members charged with carrying out an acid attack on a prominent human rights activist. The case highlights tensions over the military’s role in public life and rights groups’ warnings about a return to the authoritarian past.
The victim, Andrie Yunus, suffered burns to about 20 percent of his face and body in the attack, which occurred amid protests against the widening influence of the armed forces. Prosecutors accuse the four officers of targeting the activist in what supporters describe as a brutal attempt to silence dissent.
Rights advocates say the attack echoes the brutality seen during Indonesia's Suharto era, underscoring a broader fight over accountability within the security forces. The court proceedings are expected to shed light on whether the assault was ordered at a higher level or carried out by individuals acting on their own.
Families and supporters gathered outside the courtroom as the defendants entered, with questions about whether the military can effectively police its own ranks. Officials have emphasized that the case will proceed under military law, and that service members will face charges appropriate to the incident.
Activists and international observers have called for transparency and swift justice to ensure the safety of critics who challenge government policy. The trial marks a test of Indonesia’s commitment to civilian oversight of the military and the protection of human rights defenders.
