Indonesia's military is deploying more than 20,000 troops and personnel to the capital, Jakarta, officials said Wednesday, as authorities investigate an alleged illegal wiretapping operation targeting the country's president that has led to the detention of three senior police generals.

The scandal took on added significance after the presidential palace said the alleged wiretapping targeting President Prabowo Subianto could be regarded as conduct "leading toward treason." Sensitive information accessible through a head of state's communications could endanger the state and national leadership, it said.

Among those implicated is Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who was appointed as presidential chief of staff last month.