JAKARTA, Nov 4 — The Indonesian police detained three suspects over alleged illegal wiretapping targeting President Prabowo Subianto and several prominent figures, including government officials, politicians, business leaders, and media representatives between 2025 and 2026.
National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) chief Comm Gen Asep Safrudin said the suspects allegedly ordered telephone numbers to be entered into the police’s Lawful Interception Management System without following the required verification procedures.
“Between 2025 and 2026, the suspects allegedly ordered wiretapping operations without written requests from investigators or accompanying police reports.
“The wiretapping was carried out without any connection to law enforcement activities, and traces of the operations were subsequently deleted in October 2026,” he said at a media conference yesterday.
An officer who became aware of the activities subsequently lodged a police report on Friday (October 30).
Asep identified the suspects only by their initials, LSP, ASN, and EH, and said they are being held at the Bareskrim detention facility.
Indonesian media identified them as former National Police chief and current Presidential Chief of Staff Listyo Sigit Prabowo, National Police Legal Division head Insp Gen Ahrie Sonta Nasution, and senior police instructor Insp Gen Eko Hadi Santoso.
Investigators have questioned 10 witnesses and three expert witnesses, and seized 11 mobile phones, an iPad and four USB flash drives.
He added that investigators were still questioning another individual, identified as SU, as a witness.
Investigators are applying provisions under Indonesia’s Criminal Code and Electronic Information and Transactions Law relating to alleged unlawful interception, unauthorised access to electronic systems, and deletion of electronic information.
The offences carry maximum prison terms of 10, six and eight years, respectively.
When asked about the motive behind the alleged wiretapping, Asep said the investigation was still in its early stages.
