Ex-Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo Arrested Over Alleged Wiretap of President

Indonesia's former police chief and recently dismissed presidential chief of staff, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, was taken into custody on suspicion of illegally tapping President Prabowo Subianto's telephone. The arrest took place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and was announced by the national police the following day. Alongside Listyo, two senior police officers were also detained for the same alleged crime. Presidential spokesman Prasetyo Hadi told reporters the act could fall under the definition of treason and endangers the security of the state and the leader's safety. Top detective Asep Safrudin said the wiretapping was carried out without any legal basis or proper investigative process. The government has not yet disclosed why the surveillance was conducted. The wiretapping is said to have started in 2025, when Listyo was still serving as national police chief. He was later appointed chief of staff in a cabinet reshuffle last month, his seventh since President Prabowo took office in 2024. The president has faced criticism over economic management and severe wildfires across the archipelago, adding pressure to his administration. President Prabowo Subianto expressed profound concern over the case, emphasizing that sensitive information about the head of state could jeopardise national interests. The investigation now focuses on uncovering the full scope of the surveillance and identifying any further participants.

Context

Wiretapping a head of state is rare in Indonesia and is viewed as a serious breach of trust and security. Such allegations can destabilise the government and spark public debate about oversight of security agencies.