Indonesia Indicates Former Police Chief May Be Charged with Rebellion Over Alleged Eavesdropping on President Prabowo - Thairath English
The Indonesian government stated that Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, former national police chief arrested in the case of eavesdropping on President Prabowo Subianto and several key figures, may qualify as committing rebellion and posing a threat to national security. Meanwhile, the government is preparing to remove him from his position as head of the president’s task force.
The Indonesian government said that Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, former national police chief, may be charged with rebellion due to allegations of involvement in phone surveillance of President Prabowo Subianto, as well as senior officials, politicians, journalists, civil society organizations, and businesspeople. He was arrested along with two other senior police officers on 3 Nov.
Prasetyo Hadi, presidential spokesperson, revealed that these actions may constitute offenses related to rebellion because they could affect the country's security and interests, as well as endangering the safety of the national leader.
He also stated that President Prabowo has expressed deep concern over the case, as the leader’s communication data is highly sensitive and could impact national security.
Indonesia’s National Criminal Investigation Agency stated that the three suspects are accused of intercepting phone communications during 2025–2026 by inputting target phone numbers into the police’s communication interception management system without legal authority and without conducting investigations under legal procedures.
Asep Safrudin, head of the National Criminal Investigation Agency, said the surveillance was unrelated to official lawful duties. In October 2026, the suspects are also accused of deleting recorded surveillance data to hide traces before an official who became aware of this reported it to the agency on 30 October.
The other two suspects are Ahri Sonta and Eko Hadi Santoso, both holding the rank of Police Brigadier General.
All three face charges under the criminal code and the Electronic Information and Transactions Law for unauthorized interception, unlawful access to others’ computer systems, and unauthorized deletion of electronic data, carrying a combined maximum prison sentence of up to 24 years. They are currently detained at the National Police detention facility in South Jakarta.
Following the arrests, the government plans to issue a presidential order to remove Police General Listyo from his role as head of the president’s task force, a position he was appointed to on 1 Oct after stepping down as national police chief, a role he held since 2021.
While awaiting a permanent replacement, the government has appointed Lieutenant General Aryo Windutomo, a senior army officer, as acting head of the president’s task force.
Prasetyo stated the government has coordinated with Police General Ziyudi Ario Seto, the current national police chief, to ensure public services and police operations continue normally despite the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, coordinating minister for legal affairs, human rights, immigration, and corrections, said that so far the investigation has found no evidence linking the surveillance to attempts to overthrow the government.
He added that authorities cannot yet disclose what conversations were intercepted or the suspects’ objectives, as the investigation is ongoing. He said the president has been informed and ordered law enforcement agencies to act decisively according to the law.
The government is also reviewing operations of various state agencies that possess authority and equipment for intercepting communications, emphasizing that surveillance must be conducted strictly within legal frameworks. Any use beyond legal authorization will be treated as a serious offense.
This case arises amid President Prabowo facing pressure over economic management and severe wildfires in the country. He recently reshuffled his cabinet for the seventh time last month and appointed this former police chief to a key position within the presidential office.
. JAKARTA GLOBE/The Jakarta Post/The Straits Times
