Military charges Indonesian soldiers in acid attack on activist

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Jakarta: Four Indonesian soldiers from the military's Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS) were indicted on Wednesday for a premeditated acid attack on activist Andrie Yunus. 

The 27-year-old victim, a member of the KontraS rights group, suffered severe burns to 24 percent of his body and was blinded in one eye after the assault in Jakarta last month. 

The attack allegedly followed Yunus’s public criticism of the increasing militarization of the Indonesian government under President Prabowo Subianto.

According to military prosecutors, the suspects Edi Sudarko, Budi Hariyanto Widhi Cahyono, Nandala Dwi Prasetia, and Sami Lakka planned the assault at their military lodgings. 

The group allegedly used a mixture of ‘rust removal fluid’ and battery acid obtained from a military workshop. Prosecutors stated the men were motivated by personal anger toward Yunus’s activism rather than official orders.

The trial is being held in a military court despite calls from rights groups to move the case to a civilian court to ensure transparency. 

The charges of premeditated aggravated assault carry a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. The next hearing, featuring witness testimony, is scheduled for May 6.

Photo Credits: AFP