Indonesian authorities are investigating possible treason after announcing this week that President Prabowo Subianto’s phone conversations may have been spied on, the BBC reported.
Chief of staff Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who is not related to the president, was arrested Tuesday with two senior police officers. They are suspected of entering phone numbers, including the president’s, into the police’s electronic surveillance system without a warrant or case report. Authorities say it was discovered last week after a tip-off and may stretch back to 2025, when Listyo was national police chief. He was sacked from the chief of staff post shortly after his arrest.
On Thursday police named a fourth suspect, Slamet Uliandi, who was not detained because of ill health after a stroke. A presidential spokesperson said the case could amount to treason, which carries life imprisonment or death in Indonesia, though no one has been executed in a decade. Authorities say other targets included politicians, journalists, NGO representatives and businesspeople.
Analysts see a widening rift between Prabowo and predecessor Joko Widodo, whose ally Listyo is. Police chief Suyudi Ario Seto said the probe is “purely law enforcement.” Jokowi said everyone should respect the legal process.
Sources: BBC News
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