Three Indonesian Police Generals Detained Over Alleged Prabowo Wiretapping

JAKARTA – Three senior Indonesian police officers, including former National Police chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, have been named suspects and detained in an investigation into alleged illegal wiretapping targeting President Prabowo Subianto and other prominent figures.

The Criminal Investigation Agency chief, Commissioner General Asep Safrudin, said the alleged surveillance took place between 2025 and 2026. The suspected targets reportedly included the president, government officials, politicians, journalists, civil society activists, non-governmental organisations and businesspeople.

The other two suspects are Inspector General Ahrie Sonta Nasution, head of the National Police Legal Division, and Inspector General Eko Hadi Santoso, an officer at the police education and training institution.

According to statements by investigators reported by the Associated Press and ABC News, several telephone numbers were allegedly entered into the police's Lawful Interception Management System (LIMS) without the required verification or legal procedures. Investigators also suspect that files containing intercepted communications were ordered deleted in October 2026 to conceal evidence.

Police have questioned 10 witnesses and three expert witnesses. Investigators also seized 11 mobile phones, one iPad and four flash drives as evidence.

The case took another turn on Wednesday, November 4, when President Prabowo dismissed Listyo Sigit from his position as Presidential Chief of Staff. Listyo had recently been appointed to the post after serving as National Police chief.

Presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi said the alleged surveillance of the head of state could endanger national interests and the safety of the country's leadership. Government officials also raised the possibility that the alleged conduct could amount to an act tending towards treason, although this has not been established as a final legal finding.

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra said investigators were still examining the purpose of the alleged surveillance. Authorities have not disclosed who may have ordered the operation or what motivated it.

The suspects face several legal provisions concerning unlawful interception, unauthorised access to electronic systems and the deletion or alteration of electronic information. The provisions cited by authorities include Articles 258 and 332 of Indonesia's Criminal Code and Article 32 of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law.

The case has also raised concerns about privacy rights and civil liberties. Amnesty International Indonesia has urged authorities to investigate not only the alleged surveillance of the president but also identify other individuals who may have been targeted.

Usman Hamid, Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, said alleged surveillance involving politicians, journalists, activists and businesspeople could have serious implications for privacy rights and press freedom.

The organisation called for an independent, transparent and impartial investigation. It also urged stronger oversight of surveillance technology to prevent its misuse against civil society.

As of November 5, 2026, neither Prabowo nor the three suspects had publicly responded to the allegations in the media reports reviewed.

The investigation remains ongoing. Allegations of illegal surveillance and any possible political or security-related motives have not yet been established through a court ruling.