Indonesia arrests senior officials over alleged wiretapping
The allegations involve surveillance of the president and other public figures, but investigators have not established a motive.
Wednesday 4 November · 15:54 · 1 min read
In 30 seconds
- Indonesian police arrested three senior officials over alleged illegal wiretapping of the president and others from 2025 to 2026. [1][2][3]
- The government and Cambodianess identify former police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo as one of those arrested; police initially released only suspects’ initials, according to Fresh News. [1][2][3]
- The government said the alleged surveillance may amount to treason, but the reports say no motive or evidence tying suspects to treason had been established. [1][2][3]
What happened
Indonesian police arrested three senior officials over alleged illegal wiretapping of President Prabowo Subianto and other people, including government officials, politicians, journalists and businesspeople. The reports identify Listyo Sigit Prabowo, a former police chief who had recently become presidential chief of staff, as one of those arrested. The government said the alleged surveillance could be considered treason, while police said it had been carried out without a legal basis or proper investigative process. Officials said the motive was not yet known, and Listyo had not commented publicly.
Why it matters
The allegations concern the privacy and security of the president and a wide range of people. The arrests and investigation are ongoing, and the reports do not establish that the suspects committed treason.
Background
Cambodianess reported that Listyo served as national police chief during the period investigators say the surveillance began, in 2025. It also reported that President Prabowo had faced public protests and criticism over the economy, wildfire response and concerns about authoritarianism and corruption.
Key terms
- Wiretapping
- Secretly listening to or recording phone conversations.
- Treason
- A serious offence involving actions considered to betray or endanger the state.
- Chief of staff
- A senior official who helps manage a leader’s office and work.
Timeline
- 2025 Investigators say the alleged surveillance operation began.
- October 2026 Cambodianess reported that Listyo was appointed presidential chief of staff.
- November 3, 2026 Police announced the arrest of three senior officials over the alleged wiretapping.
- November 4, 2026 The government said the alleged surveillance may amount to treason, while saying the motive was not yet known.
Sources (3)
[1] Fresh News រដ្ឋាភិបាលឥណ្ឌូណេស៉ី៖ នាយខុទ្ទកាល័យប្រធានាធិបតីដែលត្រូវចាប់ខ្លួន ប្រហែលជាប្រព្រឹត្តិអំពើក្បត់ជាតិ តាមរយៈការលួចស្ដាប់ទូរសព្ទប្រធានាធិបតី 4 Nov Read original [2] Fresh News ឥណ្ឌូណេស៊ីចាប់ខ្លួនមនុស្ស ៣នាក់ ក្នុងនោះមានទាំងនាយខុទ្ទការល័យពីបទសង្ស័យលួចស្ដាប់ប្រធានាធិបតីនិយាយទូរស័ព្ទ 4 Nov Read original [3] Cambodianess Indonesia Govt Says Ex-Police Chief May Have Committed 'Treason' by Wiretapping President 4 Nov Read originalWas this explainer clear?
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