Indonesia arrests former police chief over alleged wiretapping of Prabowo
Police allege three suspects intercepted the phones of the president, officials and journalists without authority, then deleted the records.
Indonesian police have arrested three suspects over the alleged illegal wiretapping of President Prabowo Subianto and other senior figures, with The Straits Times and CNA reporting that one of them is former National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
National Police Criminal Investigation Agency chief Asep Safrudin told reporters on Tuesday the suspects were LSP, ASN and EH, giving only their initials, CNA and the South China Morning Post reported. CNA said Indonesian media, including Kompas, identified LSP as Listyo, who has been Chief of Presidential Staff since Prabowo removed him as police chief on October 1. The other two were named as Ahrie Sonta Nasution, the police Legal Division chief, and Inspector-General Eko Hadi Santoso. The Straits Times described both as two-star generals.
Asep alleged the suspects intercepted the phones of the president, state officials, political figures, members of the media, leaders of mass organisations, NGOs and businesspeople between 2025 and 2026. The Straits Times reported the numbers were allegedly entered into the police's Lawful Interception Management System. Asep said the interceptions had no connection to any inquiry or investigation.
Police allege the suspects tried to hide the activity in October 2026. CNA quoted Asep as saying they ordered the deletion of files containing intercepted communications, while The Straits Times reported they deleted log records. He said the aim was "to cover their tracks". The case surfaced on October 30, when officers aware of the activity reported it, according to CNA. The Straits Times said one officer made the report.
The three face charges of illegal wiretapping, unauthorised access to electronic systems and unauthorised deletion of electronic information. CNA reported maximum sentences of 10, six and eight years respectively, and The Straits Times put the combined possible penalty at 24 years. They are being held at the National Police Headquarters detention centre. A fourth person, identified as SU, is being questioned as a witness. Police also seized 11 mobile phones, an iPad and four USB flash drives, CNA reported.
Listyo led the police from 2021, after his appointment by then-President Joko Widodo. His move to the presidential staff post came in a Cabinet reshuffle. The South China Morning Post noted that Prabowo, who took office in 2024, has been under growing pressure over his government's handling of the economy and destructive wildfires.
Coordinating Minister for Law Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the content and purpose of the wiretapping could not yet be disclosed because the matter was still under investigation. The Straits Times reported he said investigators had so far found no indication it was tied to an attempt to overthrow the government.
Yusril said Prabowo had been informed and had told law enforcement to take firm action under the law. He said an evaluation would also be conducted because several state institutions have the authority and equipment to conduct wiretapping.
Sources: CNA, Former Indonesian national police chief among three arrested for the alleged illegal wiretapping of Prabowo; South China Morning Post, Indonesian police arrest 3 for tapping Prabowo’s phone; The Straits Times, Indonesia arrests ex-police chief Listyo for alleged wiretapping of Prabowo.
