Thousands of troops secure Indonesia trial as tensions run high over wiretap scandal

Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo, center, arrives to testify in a defamation trial at the East Jakarta District Court in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, November 5, 2026. | Photo Credit: AP Indonesian authorities tasked thousands of police and military personnel to provide security on Thursday (November 5, 2026) 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.Gen. Listyo previously served as national police chief under Mr. Widodo, though the former President has not been implicated in the wiretapping investigation. There are allegations that Cabinet officials, politicians, journalists, civil society leaders and business executives were also subjected to unauthorised surveillance.After losing two Presidential races to Mr. Widodo, Mr. Prabowo aligned himself with the popular leader and campaigned as his successor, choosing Mr. Widodo’s son as his running mate in a move that fuelled concerns about a growing political dynasty in Indonesia’s young democracy.Mr. Widodo and Mr. Prabowo were once close political allies, with Mr. Widodo backing Mr. Prabowo’s successful 2024 Presidential bid, but their relationship has come under increased scrutiny amid signs of a growing rift since Mr. Prabowo took office.Neither has commented on the wiretapping case.Retired police Gen. Oegroseno, a former deputy national police chief, told the Forum Keadilan TV podcast on Wednesday (November 4, 2026) that investigators should examine all possible lines of command behind the wiretapping, including whether any directives originated from Mr. Widodo.“Investigators should not hesitate to question a former President if necessary,” Gen. Oegroseno said. “The motive behind the alleged wiretapping operation must be fully uncovered under the leadership of the current police chief.”The wiretapping operation could also constitute a serious human rights violation and could be used to intimidate critics and weaken civil liberties, said Usman Hamid, Amnesty International's executive director in Indonesia.“This is not merely about the alleged wiretapping of the President,” Mr. Hamid said in a statement. “Authorities must disclose who else may have been targeted and investigate the full impact of the operation.”Police allege the unauthorised wiretapping took place between 2025 and 2026, after Mr. Prabowo had been elected and while Gen. Listyo was still national police chief. National Police Legal Division head Sonta Nasution and Eko Hadi Santoso, a senior instructor at the National Police Education and Training Institute, were also detained.Authorities have called in more than 20,000 troops to Jakarta, and on Thursday (November 5, 2026) said that 6,770 police and military personnel had been deployed to secure Mr. Widodo's hearing. Mr. 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 wiretapping case and Mr. Widodo denied the diploma allegations.As he arrived on Thursday (November 5, 2026) morning at the East Jakarta District Court, the former President was welcomed by hundreds of his supporters chanting messages of encouragement.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.East Jakarta Police chief Alfian Nurrizal said that the deployment for the hearing was a precautionary measure due to potential security risks and large crowds, and that most of the forces were being held on standby.Indonesian military 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. Published - November 05, 2026 04:58 pm IST