20,000 troops: Indonesia deploys thousands in Jakarta; alleged wire tapping operation targeting President Prabowo, with Listyo Sigit detained

Troops sent to the capital

Indonesia’s military moved troops and personnel to Jakarta while authorities investigate an alleged wiretapping operation aimed at President Prabowo Subianto. Vice Admiral Yayan Sofiyan said the total deployed since Monday had passed 20,000 by Wednesday.

The article also describes the deployment as involving 20,000 troops, without specifying whether that figure is rounded. Authorities have not officially said the movement is linked to the wiretapping investigation.

Police generals detained

Three senior police generals have been detained over accusations of illegally tapping the phones of the president, journalists, politicians and business people. The suspects have not publicly responded to the allegations.

Listyo Sigit Prabowo is among those detained. He is not related to the president and served as national police chief before becoming the president’s chief of staff last month.

Motive and possible penalties

The presidential palace said the alleged surveillance could be considered an act “tending towards treason.” Indonesia’s senior minister for legal affairs said the government has not determined why the wiretapping allegedly took place. The suspects could face charges related to unlawful surveillance, which carry a possible prison term of up to 10 years. Criminologist Adrianus Meliala said there was strong suspicion the activity served interests beyond those of the state or National Police.

Military describes routine procedure

Armed forces spokesperson Major General Muhammad Nas called the troop movement a “standard procedure” for maintaining national security. The article spells the quoted phrase as “standart procedure.” Meliala said Listyo’s being named a suspect was unexpected. He added that, if the allegations are proven, the case could be viewed as political maneuvering and carry political consequences.