Indonesia clarifies: Palestinian national deported to Cyprus will not be sent to Israel

Coordinating Minister for Law and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra has moved to quell public concerns regarding the fate of Abdul Karim Raeq Miqdad, a Palestinian national arrested in Indonesia. Mahendra met with several Islamic community organizations at the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) office to clarify the situation.

Abdul Karim, who held a Palestinian passport, was apprehended by Indonesian police based on an Interpol red notice related to terrorism charges. He was subsequently deported to Cyprus. Following his deportation, various narratives emerged, including speculation that Cyprus intended to transfer him to Israel.

Mahendra emphasized that the Indonesian government needed to provide clarification to correct the misinformation. He stressed that Abdul Karim's arrest was linked to terrorism, not his activism for Palestine or humanitarian efforts in Gaza. This distinction is crucial, as the issue had become sensitive due to factual inaccuracies.

According to Mahendra, Indonesia has received telegraphic communication from Cyprus confirming their intention not to hand Abdul Karim over to Israel, as he would face trial in Cyprus. He further stated that he had directly sought and received a commitment from the Cypriot Ambassador to Indonesia that his country would not transfer the individual to Israel. Mahendra explained that Indonesia chose deportation over extradition because there is no extradition agreement with Cyprus, and the deportation was executed upon Interpol's request.

Mahendra also addressed the public perception that Indonesia might be neglecting its support for the Palestinian cause. He asserted that investigations revealed no evidence of Abdul Karim being a religious scholar or a Palestinian activist. He clarified that Miqdad is not a cleric, countering a narrative that Indonesia deported a Palestinian religious leader.