Thousands of police officers and soldiers deployed around Jakarta trial
The security operation coincides with the detention of three senior police officials over alleged illegal wiretapping.
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Indonesia deployed thousands of police officers and soldiers around a trial in Jakarta on Thursday. The measure comes as three senior police officials are being held in an investigation into alleged illegal wiretapping.
According to the Associated Press, 6,770 police officers and soldiers were deployed to secure the hearing of former president Joko Widodo. In total, the authorities say more than 20,000 soldiers were brought to Jakarta. Widodo’s trial is not about the wiretapping scandal, however, but about allegations that he used a fake university diploma. Widodo denies those allegations.
The security operation coincides with an investigation into the alleged interception of telephone conversations involving President Prabowo Subianto and other prominent figures. Police say the wiretapping operation took place between 2025 and 2026, when Listyo Sigit Prabowo was still police chief. Listyo, now a senior government official, has been detained along with two other officials.
The presidential palace has described the alleged wiretapping as conduct that could amount to treason. The palace is therefore framing the allegations as a matter of national security.
The case also has a personal political background. Prabowo and Widodo were previously allies. Widodo supported Prabowo in the 2024 presidential election, and Prabowo chose Widodo’s son as his running mate. Since Prabowo became president, the relationship between the two power-holders has been viewed more critically.
There is no evidence that Widodo was involved in the wiretapping. However, a retired police general says investigators should examine all chains of command, including the possibility that instructions came from higher up in the former security hierarchy. Amnesty International in Indonesia warns that the alleged surveillance may also have affected journalists, politicians, civil-society organisations and businesspeople.
The Indonesian authorities officially link the deployment of troops to securing the hearing. It has not been established whether the scale of the operation also reflects fears of a conflict between the army and the police. For Europe, the development is chiefly relevant as a sign of renewed political instability in an important democracy and economy in Southeast Asia.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Thousands of police officers and soldiers are securing a court hearing in Jakarta.
- Three senior police officials have been detained in an investigation into alleged illegal wiretapping.
- The authorities have not established that Joko Widodo was involved in the wiretapping.
Left
Arguments The case should primarily be treated as an issue of the rule of law, privacy and civilian oversight of the security services.
Values Civil rights, transparency and the protection of journalists and political opponents.
Consequences A broad and independent inquiry could expose abuses of power; a military presence could instead heighten intimidation.
Centre
Arguments The state must secure the trial and allow the investigation to proceed carefully without prejudging guilt or political responsibility.
Values Institutional stability, evidence-gathering and continuity of government.
Consequences A restrained approach could prevent escalation, but only if the security operation remains accountable and temporary.
Right
Arguments The wiretapping of a president could pose a serious threat to national security and calls for a forceful response.
Values Order, state authority and the protection of national institutions.
Consequences Strong security measures could prevent further tensions, but an overly broad deployment could damage trust in the army and police.
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 core facts have been confirmed by the Associated Press and are consistent with reporting from Indonesia. Political conclusions have been presented as uncertain or unestablished.
- confirmed 6,770 police officers and soldiers were deployed around the hearing. — Mentioned by the Associated Press. source
- confirmed Three senior police officials have been detained. — Mentioned by the Associated Press. source
- confirmed Widodo’s trial concerns an alleged fake university diploma. — Mentioned by the Associated Press. source
Editor's note
The troop deployment, the trial and the detentions have been confirmed. The possible political significance of the deployment remains an interpretation; a formal link to the wiretapping investigation has not been established.Sources
- Tensions rise as Indonesian officers accused of intercepting president's calls — Associated Press
- Troops descend on Jakarta amid wiretapping scandal — The Jakarta Post
More on this in Dutch media
- AD — „indonesië jakarta”
- de Volkskrant — „indonesië jakarta”
- RTL Nieuws — „indonesië jakarta”