Thousands of troops tasked to secure Jakarta trial as tensions remain high over wiretap scandal

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian authorities tasked thousands of police and military personnel to provide security Thursday for a trial involving former President Joko Widodo, as tensions in the capital remained high over allegations that top officers had been involved in intercepting the current president's telephone conversations.

Three senior generals have already been detained in the wiretapping scandal, including Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who had been named chief of staff to President Prabowo Subianto last month.

Listyo previously served as national police chief under Widodo, though the former president has not been implicated in the wiretapping investigation. In addition to President Prabowo, there are allegations that Cabinet officials, politicians, journalists, civil society leaders and business executives were also subjected to unauthorized surveillance.

After losing two presidential races to Widodo, Prabowo aligned himself with the popular leader and campaigned as his successor, choosing Widodo’s son as his running mate in a move that fueled concerns about a growing political dynasty in Indonesia’s 25-year-old democracy.

Widodo and Prabowo were once close political allies, with Widodo backing Prabowo’s successful 2024 presidential bid, but their relationship has come under increased scrutiny amid signs of a growing rift since Prabowo took office.

Neither of the two have commented on the wiretapping case.

Retired police Gen. Oegroseno, a former deputy national police chief, told the Forum Keadilan TV podcast on Wednesday that investigators should examine all possible lines of command behind the wiretapping, including whether any directives originated from Widodo.

“Investigators should not hesitate to question a former president if necessary,” Oegroseno said. “The motive behind the alleged wiretapping operation must be fully uncovered under the leadership of the current police chief.”

Police allege the unauthorized wiretapping took place between 2025 and 2026, after Prabowo had been elected and while Listyo was still national police chief. National Police Legal Division head Insp. Gen. Ahrie Sonta Nasution and Insp. Gen. Eko Hadi Santoso, a senior instructor at the National Police Education and Training Institute, were also detained.

Since arresting the generals, authorities have called in more than 20,000 troops to Jakarta and on Thursday said 6,770 police and military personnel had been deployed to secure Widodo's hearing. Widodo was called to testify in a defamation trial stemming from allegations that he used a fake university diploma. The trial is unrelated to the current wiretapping case

As he arrived in the morning at the East Jakarta District Court, the former president was welcomed by hundreds of his supporters who chanted messages of encouragement as he entered the building.

The presidential palace has said the wiretaps were being considered an “act of treason” that endangered state interests, but has not linked the deployment of troops to Jakarta to the case.

On Thursday, East Jakarta Police chief Alfian Nurrizal said the deployment of the thousands of police and military personnel was simply a precautionary measure due to potential security risks and large crowds, and that most of the forces were being held on standby.

“The actual deployment would be adjusted based on conditions at the courthouse,” Nurrizal said.

Indonesian armed forces spokesperson Maj. Gen. Muhammad Nas previously said that the deployment of the 20,000 marines and other personnel to Jakarta was a “normal occurrence."

Despite the number of troops sent to Jakarta, there has also been no visible military presence on the streets and authorities have said most are being held in reserve in barracks and other facilities.

_____

David Rising in Bangkok contributed to this story