Indonesia detains officials suspected of wiretapping - NHKニュース

Indonesian authorities are investigating an alleged illegal wiretapping operation targeting the country's president. They have detained three suspects who are all senior police officials, including President Prabowo Subianto's chief of staff.

General Listyo Sigit Prabowo is one of Indonesia's most prominent security figures. He was selected for the chief-of-staff position about a month ago.

Investigators allege the suspects entered the National Police surveillance system without following proper procedures, and also deleted some records.

The government confirmed that the president had dismissed Listyo from his position.

Prasetyo Hadi, Indonesian Minister of State Secretary said, "What has been done amounts to an act of treason and constitutes an action that threatens the national interest, including endangering the safety of the country's leadership."

Allegations have surfaced that other government officials, politicians, members of the media, civil society leaders, and business executives have also been put under unauthorized surveillance since early last year.

A government official said investigators have not yet determined any motive for the alleged wiretapping.