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Politics
Apr 29, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

Indonesia Puts Four Soldiers on Trial Over Acid Attack on Rights Activist

AI Summary
A military court in Jakarta opened a trial for four soldiers accused of dousing activist **Andrie Yunus** with acid in March. The case spotlights growing tensions over the Indonesian military’s expanding role in civilian government and raises concerns about future repression of dissent.

Military Court Opens Trial of Four Soldiers Over Acid Attack on Activist

A trial began on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 in a Jakarta military court, charging Edi Sudarko, Budi Hariyanto Widhi Cahyono, Nandala Dwi Prasetia and Sami Lakka with serious meditated assault. Prosecutors say the men, all serving in the Indonesian military’s Strategic Intelligence Agency, mixed rust‑removal fluid with battery acid and sprayed it on activist **Andrie Yunus** while he rode his motorbike on March 12, 2026.

Scope of Injuries and Legal Penalties

  • Andrie, 27, suffered burns on more than 20 % of his face and body and lost sight in one eye.
  • The charge carries a maximum sentence of 12 years under Indonesia’s criminal code.
  • Human‑rights watchdog Komnas HAM reports at least 14 individuals may have been linked to the attack.

Implications for Civil‑Military Relations and Human Rights in Indonesia

The defendants’ affiliation with the Strategic Intelligence Agency comes amid a controversial amendment that allows active‑duty soldiers to occupy a broader range of government posts, including the attorney‑general’s office and counter‑terrorism agencies. Critics argue the move deepens the military’s influence over civilian affairs and creates an environment where abuses, such as the acid attack, can occur with impunity.

Rights groups warn the case could “lead to fear among civilians to criticise government officials,” potentially chilling dissent and undermining Indonesia’s democratic reforms under President Prabowo Subianto.

What the Next Hearing Could Mean for Indonesia’s Democratic Trajectory

The next court session is set for May 6, 2026, when prosecutors will present witnesses. A conviction could signal a willingness by the judiciary to hold military personnel accountable, bolstering civil‑society confidence. Conversely, a lenient outcome may embolden further militarisation of politics and erode public trust in the rule of law.