On the evening of November 3rd, local time, the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police General Headquarters in Indonesia announced at a press conference that Lesti Yogi Sigit Prabowo, former head of the Indonesian national police, and two other senior officers were arrested that day. They are suspected of illegally eavesdropping on several individuals, including President Prabowo Subianto.
Indonesia's former National Police Chief Lisdiyo Sigit Prabowo, AFP
Indonesia National Police General Headquarters Criminal Investigation Directorate Chief Acep Safrudin stated that the related eavesdropping activities took place between 2025 and 2026, and the suspect overheard conversations with several political figures, media professionals, and leaders of civil organizations.
The exact scale and purpose of the eavesdropping activities are unclear. The Indonesian police have not revealed how many people were subjected to eavesdropping, what information was involved, or who may have received the intercepted communications. Investigators said they seized 11 mobile phones, 1 iPad, and 4 USB drives during the search operation, and questioned 10 witnesses and 3 experts.
Indonesian police added that the suspect is also suspected of ordering the deletion of relevant electronic records in October this year, in order to cover up wiretapping activities.
Safridin only revealed the initials of the names of three suspects: LSP, ASN, and EH. However, several Indonesian media outlets, including the Jakarta Globe, confirmed that LSP refers to Lesti Yulianto Prabowo, the former head of the Indonesian National Police. He has no family relationship with President Prabowo. Just one month before Lesti Yulianto’s arrest, he was appointed as the head of the Presidential Office.
