Indonesian authorities have arrested three senior police officers, including President Prabowo Subianto’s chief of staff, over allegations of illegally tapping the president’s telephone and monitoring communications involving dozens of prominent individuals.
The arrests were announced on Tuesday, following an investigation into alleged unauthorised surveillance involving government officials, politicians, journalists, civil society representatives and businesspeople.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), Indonesia’s top detective, Asep Safrudin, initially identified the suspects by their initials as LSP, ASN and EH.
Subsequent reports by the Associated Press identified them as General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, presidential chief of staff; Inspector General Ahrie Sonta Nasution, head of the National Police Legal Division; and Inspector General Eko Hadi Santoso, a senior instructor at the National Police Education and Training Institute.
The three officers were detained at the National Police headquarters in Jakarta.
How the alleged phone tapping was uncovered
Safrudin said the suspects allegedly intercepted telephone numbers belonging to President Prabowo and other prominent individuals without following legally prescribed procedures.
The alleged surveillance reportedly took place between 2025 and 2026, with investigators examining how telephone numbers were entered into the police’s Lawful Interception Management System (LIMS) without the required verification.
Authorities also alleged that the suspects ordered the deletion of electronic records containing intercepted communications in October 2026 to conceal evidence of the operation.
A police officer who became aware of the alleged activities reportedly filed a complaint, prompting an investigation.
Police said they had questioned 10 witnesses and three expert witnesses while seizing 11 mobile phones, an iPad and four flash drives as evidence.
Suspects face possible 10-year jail terms
The three officers are being investigated for alleged illegal interception of communications, unauthorised access to electronic systems and the unlawful alteration or deletion of electronic information.
If convicted under the relevant provisions, they could face prison sentences of up to 10 years, depending on the charges established by investigators.
Indonesia’s Justice Minister, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, said authorities had not established the motive behind the alleged surveillance.
He also said investigators had found no indication of treason in the case, despite the seriousness of the allegations.
Investigation continues
The arrests have raised concerns about the alleged misuse of surveillance powers within Indonesia’s security institutions.
President Prabowo, who assumed office in 2024, has not publicly responded to the allegations. The three suspects have also not issued public responses.
Authorities say investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the alleged surveillance, the individuals targeted and the reasons behind the operation.
The case has attracted considerable attention because one of the suspects, Listyo Sigit Prabowo, previously served as Indonesia’s national police chief before being appointed presidential chief of staff.
