Indonesian authorities have arrested three senior police officers over allegations of illegally tapping President Prabowo Subianto’s phone and monitoring communications involving other prominent figures.
Police announced the arrests on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in Jakarta. Investigators said the alleged surveillance also targeted government officials, politicians, journalists, non-governmental organisations and businesspeople.
National Police Criminal Investigation Agency chief, Asep Safrudin, identified the suspects by their initials as LSP, ASN and EH. Authorities are investigating allegations of unlawful interception and unauthorised access to electronic systems.
President’s Chief of Staff Among Suspects
The case has drawn attention following reports identifying one suspect as General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, President Prabowo’s recently appointed chief of staff.
Listyo, who is not related to the Indonesian president, previously served as national police chief for five years. He reportedly assumed his current position last month.
The other two officers have been identified as Ahrie Sonta Nasution, head of the National Police Legal Division, and Eko Hadi Santoso, a senior officer at the National Police Education and Training Institute.
Police initially disclosed only the suspects’ initials. However, reports by international news organisations identified the three officers by their full names.
Police Seize Phones and Other Evidence
According to investigators, the alleged wiretapping took place between 2025 and 2026. Authorities said the suspects allegedly monitored telephone numbers without proper legal authorisation or an approved investigative process.
Police have questioned witnesses and seized 11 mobile phones, an iPad and four flash drives as part of the investigation.
Investigators also alleged that the officers ordered the deletion of records containing intercepted communications from the Lawful Interception Management System.
Authorities are examining whether the alleged deletions were intended to conceal evidence and erase traces of the surveillance operation.
Suspects Face Possible Prison Terms
Indonesia’s authorities are investigating possible violations involving illegal interception, unauthorised access to electronic systems and the deletion of electronic data.
Under the relevant provisions cited by authorities, the alleged offences could attract prison terms of up to 10 years, six years and eight years respectively.
However, the investigation remains at an early stage. Officials have not publicly established the motive behind the alleged surveillance.
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, said investigators had found no evidence of treason in the case.
Neither President Prabowo nor the three officers had publicly responded to the allegations in the reports available at the time of publication.
The investigation continues as authorities examine the scope of the alleged surveillance and whether other individuals were involved.
