Nasional

Indonesian top police generals suspected on wiretapping scandal

Indonesian top police generals suspected on wiretapping scandal

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's police have named three suspects in an investigation into alleged illegal wiretapping targeting the president and other public figures, as well as unauthorized system access and electronic data deletion.

National Police Criminal Investigation Department Chief Asep Safrudin identified the suspects by their initials, LSP, ASN and EH, at a news conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.

"The suspects allegedly intercepted phone numbers belonging to the president, state officials, political figures, media representatives, civic group leaders, nongovernmental organizations and businesspeople," Asep said.

From 2025 to 2026, the suspects allegedly ordered interceptions without formal requests from investigators or accompanying police reports, Asep said.

The interceptions were not connected to any law enforcement investigation, he added.

"Several numbers were entered into the Lawful Interception Management System (LIMS) server without verification and then intercepted without any connection to lawful investigations," Asep said.

In October 2026, files containing intercepted communications were deleted from the LIMS system to conceal evidence, he said.

Asep said surveillance and interception must comply with National Police Regulation No. 5 of 2010.

The regulation requires such operations to protect human rights, legality, legal certainty, consumer protection and confidentiality, limiting them to criminal investigations, prosecutions and court proceedings under the law.

Cybercrime investigators have questioned 10 witnesses and three experts, and seized 11 mobile phones, one iPad and four flash drives.

A separate individual, identified as SU, is still being questioned as a witness, he added. The three suspects are being held at the National Police headquarters detention center in Jakarta.