Indonesian activist maimed in alleged acid attack, NGO urges probe

He was rushed to hospital with burns to 24 per cent of his body. Read more at straitstimes.com.

JAKARTA – Two men on a motorbike allegedly threw acid in the face of an Indonesian rights activist, leaving him badly hurt and prompting calls on March 13 for a thorough investigation amid concerns of democratic backsliding in the country.

Mr Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the KontraS rights group, sustained serious injuries to his face, eyes, hands and chest in the attack in Jakarta late on March 12.

He was riding a motorbike when he was allegedly approached by two men on a scooter, one of whom threw acid at him, according to KontraS coordinator Dimas Bagus Arya. Both attackers had their faces concealed.

Mr Andrie, who had previously received threats for his activism, was rushed to hospital with burns to 24 per cent of his body, said Mr Dimas.

“We view this acid attack as an attempt to silence critical voices in society,” he added.

Mr Andrie had been a vocal critic of moves to increase the influence of the military in the Indonesian government, and had just finished recording a podcast on the topic when he was attacked.