Military Court Sentences Four in Attack on Indonesian Rights Advocate

Four members of an Indonesian military intelligence unit received prison sentences on Wednesday following their conviction for an acid attack on Andrie Yunus, a human rights advocate. The military court in Jakarta issued these sentences amid criticism, describing the proceedings as “a blatant whitewash.”

Critics argued the case should have been overseen by civilian judges rather than a military court. They also condemned the short sentences, which ranged from 18 months to three years. Initially, the defendants faced up to 12 years for the March attack.

Usman Hamid, the executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, stated that the verdict serves to protect the military’s integrity and shields potential higher-ups involved from scrutiny. He labeled the trial as failing to deliver justice or truth to Andrie Yunus.

Andrie Yunus, 27, is known for his critical stance against Indonesia’s military. He holds the position of deputy coordinator at the prominent rights organization Kontras. In Jakarta, an attacker threw acid in his face while he was on a motorbike, resulting in burns over 24 percent of his body and permanent damage to his right eye.

Despite numerous surgeries while hospitalized, Mr. Yunus’s recovery journey continues. He opposed the case moving to a military court under military prosecutors in April and chose not to testify.