Indonesian Military Court Jails Four Officers Over Acid Attack on Activist
A military court sentenced four officers to prison terms ranging from 1.5 to three years for their role in a March acid attack that left rights activist Andrie Yunus blind in one eye. Prosecutors said the attack was motivated by Yunus's criticism of expanding military influence in civilian affairs.
Al JazeeraAn Indonesian military court sentenced four officers from the Strategic Intelligence Agency to prison terms between 1.5 and three years for their involvement in an acid attack on rights activist Andrie Yunus. The presiding judge found the officers guilty of serious premeditated assault. One received three years, another 2.5 years, a third two years, and the fourth 1.5 years.
Yunus, 27, was riding a motorbike in Jakarta on March 12 when two men on another motorbike threw acid at him. He suffered burns on more than 20 percent of his face and body and lost sight in one eye. The trial began in April and drew national and international attention. Prosecutors argued the officers acted out of anger over Yunus's activism but were not following official orders.
Yunus had publicly criticized President Prabowo Subianto's government and a law passed last year that allows active-duty military personnel to hold more civilian government posts. He had requested a civilian trial, fearing a cover-up, and did not attend any hearings, citing health concerns and distrust of the military court. The maximum sentence for the charges was 12 years.
