JAKARTA, The Kabar News—Former Coordinating Political Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD has said that authorities initially detained six police officers at the home of an unidentified former National Police chief before publicly announcing suspects in the alleged illegal surveillance of President Prabowo Subianto.

Mahfud presented the account on his Terus Terang podcast. He said the operation occurred on Sunday night, Nov. 1, and involved three inspectors general and three senior commissioners. He stressed that the residence did not belong to former police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo.

“The arrests had already taken place on Sunday night and involved six people apart from LSP. It happened at the home of a former police chief. Three inspectors general and three senior commissioners were arrested,” Mahfud said.

Mahfud declined to identify the homeowner or provide evidence establishing the property’s connection to the alleged surveillance operation.

“Let us leave that for later. There is no need to name the person now; it will emerge on its own,” he said.

The National Police has not fully confirmed his account in its public statements. Authorities have neither disclosed the location of the initial operation nor named a former police chief whose residence allegedly hosted the officers. Naming possible homeowners without official evidence would therefore amount to speculation.

Mahfud said the six officers admitted during an initial examination that they had intercepted communications involving Prabowo and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. According to his account, they claimed Listyo had ordered the operation.

He said the deputy police chief and the Criminal Investigation Agency chief then collected Listyo during the night. Authorities reportedly released him before dawn, although the investigation continued.

“LSP was collected in the middle of the night by the deputy police chief and the Criminal Investigation Agency chief. He was taken away but released at dawn the following day,” Mahfud said.

Mahfud acknowledged that he did not know why authorities initially released Listyo. He suggested that negotiations might have occurred, but no official source has confirmed his interpretation.

The National Police later named Listyo and two other generals—Ahrie Sonta Nasution and Eko Hadi Santoso—as suspects. Investigators subsequently added a fourth suspect, identified as SU.

Police said SU had authorized interception requests and approved the deletion of surveillance records in October 2026. Authorities have not detained him because he is receiving treatment after a stroke.

Investigators allege that the operation ran from 2025 to 2026 without valid requests from investigators or any connection to legitimate law enforcement. The suspected targets included the president, state officials, political figures, media representatives and businesspeople.

Police initially reported seizing 11 mobile phones, one iPad and four flash drives. Investigators are examining the devices to establish the chain of command and determine how the suspects may have used the intercepted information.

Mahfud described the case as potentially the most serious crime in the history of the National Police because it allegedly targeted the head of state. However, authorities have not established treason as a proven offense.

Coordinating Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Correctional Services Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said investigators were still examining indications that might point toward treason.

He stressed that the current case concerns illegal interception, unauthorized electronic access and the deletion of data. Applying treason provisions would require further evidence about the operation’s purpose, according to the ministry’s official statement.

The identity of the former police chief mentioned by Mahfud remains undisclosed. Until investigators publish supporting evidence, the public should not treat speculation naming former officials as fact. The law presumes all suspects innocent while the investigation continues.