Thousands of Indonesian police and military personnel were deployed to secure a trial appearance by former President Joko Widodo on Thursday, as tensions remain high in the capital over a wiretapping scandal implicating senior police officers. Three high-ranking generals have been detained in connection with the alleged unauthorized surveillance.
Among the detained is Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who was appointed chief of staff to current President Prabowo Subianto last month. Prabowo served as national police chief under Widodo, though the former president has not been implicated in the wiretapping investigation. Allegations suggest that besides President Prabowo, Cabinet officials, politicians, journalists, civil society leaders, and business executives may have also been subjected to illegal surveillance.
Investigators are reportedly examining whether directives for the wiretapping originated from Widodo, with retired Gen. Oegroseno suggesting that a former president should be questioned if necessary to fully uncover the motives behind the operation. The alleged wiretapping occurred between 2025 and 2026, after Prabowo's election and while Listyo was still national police chief. National Police Legal Division head Insp. Gen. Ahrie Sonta Nasution and Insp. Gen. Eko Hadi Santoso were also detained.
Authorities called in more than 20,000 troops to Jakarta, with 6,770 police and military personnel specifically assigned to secure Widodo's hearing. This appearance was for a defamation trial unrelated to the wiretapping case, stemming from allegations of a fake university diploma. Hundreds of Widodo's supporters gathered outside the East Jakarta District Court to show their encouragement.
The presidential palace has described the wiretaps as an "act of treason" that threatened state interests, but has not directly linked the troop deployment to the scandal. East Jakarta Police chief Alfian Nurrizal stated that the large security presence was a precautionary measure against potential risks and large crowds, with most forces held in reserve and deployment adjusted based on conditions at the courthouse. An Indonesian armed forces spokesperson characterized the troop deployment to Jakarta as a "normal occurrence."