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Indonesia deploys over 20,000 troops to Jakarta amid wiretapping probe
Indonesia is deploying 20,980 military personnel to Jakarta while authorities investigate alleged illegal wiretapping targeting President Prabowo Subianto and other prominent figures. Officials have not confirmed a link between the deployment and the probe, describing the movement as a standard security measure.
Two senior police officers and former national police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo have been detained in connection with the investigation. Listyo was dismissed as Presidential Chief of Staff on Wednesday, and army lieutenant Ariyo Windutomo was appointed acting chief. The alleged operation reportedly ran from 2025 into 2026, with 13,140 additional personnel on standby; a presidential spokesperson said the conduct could be considered treason.
In short
- Indonesia is sending 20,980 military personnel to Jakarta.
- Authorities have not linked the deployment to the wiretapping probe.
- The investigation has led to arrests and Listyo’s dismissal.
Explained simply
Jakarta is Indonesia’s capital and the seat of its national government. The president, Prabowo Subianto, leads the country, while the armed forces and national police have separate roles in security and law enforcement.
Wiretapping means secretly intercepting phone calls or other communications. In Indonesia, allegations that officials monitored the president or other prominent people have drawn attention to how state agencies use their powers and who oversees them.
The investigation involves senior police figures, including former national police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who also served as Presidential Chief of Staff. The military deployment is a separate matter unless authorities establish a connection, and officials have described it as a standard security measure.