Politics · Indonesia · 3 hrs ago
Indonesia arrests former police chief over alleged tapping of president
Indonesian police arrested three senior officers over alleged illegal wiretapping of President Prabowo Subianto and other people.
One suspect is Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who led the National Police from 2021 to 2026 and became presidential chief of staff in October.
Police say the alleged interceptions ran from 2025 to 2026 and involved entering phone numbers into a police interception system without a law-enforcement reason.
Investigators say the suspects deleted records in October, and the case came to light after an officer reported it on October 30.
The three face charges that carry up to 24 years in prison, and they are being held at police headquarters in South Jakarta.
The government says investigators have found no indication of an attempt to overthrow it, but the alleged wiretapping’s purpose remains under investigation.
Prabowo ordered law enforcement to act under the law, and the government says it will review which state institutions have authority and equipment to conduct wiretapping.
Indonesian police arrested three senior officers over alleged unauthorised wiretapping of President Prabowo Subianto and other people.
The suspects were identified as former National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Ahrie Sonta and Eko Hadi Santoso.
Police said the alleged interceptions took place between 2025 and 2026 using the police’s Lawful Interception Management System.
Authorities said the suspects allegedly deleted log records in October 2026 and were reported to investigators on October 30.
The suspects face charges carrying a possible total penalty of 24 years in prison.
- Who
- Former National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo and two senior officers, Ahrie Sonta and Eko Hadi Santoso.
- What
- They were arrested over alleged unauthorised wiretapping of President Prabowo and others.
- When
- The alleged wiretapping took place between 2025 and 2026. The arrests were reported on November 3, 2026.
- Where
- Indonesia. The suspects are held at the National Police Headquarters’ detention centre in South Jakarta.
- Why
- Police allege the suspects intercepted communications without a connection to legitimate law enforcement. The purpose of the alleged wiretapping remains under investigation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Police said the suspects allegedly intercepted phone communications during this period.
Police said the suspects allegedly deleted log records.
An officer with knowledge of the alleged activity reported it to Bareskrim.
Police confirmed the arrests and announced the allegations.
- Suspects
- Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Ahrie Sonta and Eko Hadi Santoso
- Alleged period
- 2025–2026
- Report to Bareskrim
- October 30, 2026
- Possible total penalty
- 24 years’ imprisonment
3 sources
What people are saying
The suspects are alleged to have conducted unauthorised wiretapping by intercepting the telephone communications of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, state officials, political figures, members of the media, leaders of civil society organisations, NGOs and businesspeople.
These interceptions were carried out without any connection to legitimate law enforcement efforts, and in October 2026, the suspects deleted the log records to cover their tracks.
The content that was being wiretapped, and for what purpose they conducted it, cannot be announced today because it is still under further investigation.