Indonesia detains three senior police officials
Police suspect them of illegally tapping President Prabowo and other prominent Indonesians.
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Indonesian police detained three senior police officials on Tuesday over suspected illegal wiretapping. According to police, President Prabowo Subianto and dozens of other prominent people may have been among the possible targets.
Police announced the detentions during a press conference in Jakarta. According to police, telephone numbers belonging to the president, state officials, politicians, journalists, civil-society organisations and businesspeople were tapped without following the required procedure.
The three are suspects, but have not been convicted. The Indonesian authorities still have to establish who ordered the activities, how long the tapping lasted and what information may have been collected.
The case directly concerns the relationship between the police and political power in Indonesia. According to police, the communications of the president and other public institutions may also have been affected.
According to AP, police said the investigation is focused on illegal or non-procedural tapping. Antara News published the same key points from the statement by the national criminal investigation chief.
For the Netherlands, the case is chiefly relevant as a sign concerning the rule of law and digital security in an important Asian partner. At the time of publication, there was no independent confirmation of the content of the alleged wiretapping operations.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Police have detained three senior officials.
- Police suspect them of illegal wiretapping.
- According to police, President Prabowo is among the possible targets.
Left
Arguments The case calls for an independent investigation and protection for journalists, civil-society organisations and political opponents against state abuse.
Values Privacy, civil rights and democratic oversight.
Consequences An investigation without external oversight could further undermine trust in the police and government.
Centre
Arguments The suspicions should be examined through a transparent legal process, without anticipating guilt or motive.
Values The rule of law, evidential standards and institutional stability.
Consequences A careful process could protect both the president and the police from unfounded conclusions.
Right
Arguments Illegal surveillance within the security services must be dealt with firmly because it undermines the authority of the state and national security.
Values Order, state authority and security.
Consequences A strong response may deter wrongdoing, but without oversight it could also reinforce further concentration of power.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The reporting is based on an official statement by the Indonesian police and an independent international source. The text makes clear which elements are suspicions and which details have not yet been established.
- confirmed Three senior police officials have been detained. — The Indonesian police reported this, according to AP and Antara. source
- confirmed President Prabowo and other prominent people may have been targets. — This is the content of the police statement, not a fact established by a court. source
- confirmed The suspects have not been convicted. — The sources report detentions and suspicions, not convictions. source
Editor's note
The detentions and suspicions were reported by the Indonesian police and described by AP and Antara. The actual extent of the tapping and any instigators remain uncertain.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „indonesië prabowo subianto”
- NOS — „indonesië prabowo subianto”
- Het Parool — „indonesië prabowo subianto”