Indonesian police deport Palestinian fugitive, deny activist claims

Indonesian police confirmed the arrest and deportation of a Palestinian national, Abdul Karim Raed Miqdad (AKRM), to Nicosia, Cyprus. Contrary to claims that AKRM was a prominent religious figure or activist for Palestine in Indonesia, the National Central Bureau (NCB) of Indonesia's National Police stated he is an international fugitive wanted for criminal offenses.

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Interpol red notice will not be issued if the subject being pursued is related to politics, religion, human rights, military, and racial issues.

Brigadier General Untung Widyatmoko, Secretary of NCB Polri, explained that AKRM was placed on an Interpol red notice on June 10, 2026. He emphasized that red notices are not issued for individuals involved in politics, religion, human rights, military matters, or racial issues. "An ustaz being pursued? A politician being pursued? Of course, a red notice wouldn't be issued. What's clear is that if a red notice is issued, it goes through very strict verification," Widyatmoko stated.

Widyatmoko further clarified that AKRM's arrest and deportation followed the issuance of the red notice and were linked to illegal activities, with AKRM identified as a perpetrator within a network. He entered Indonesia via immigration data in Jakarta, having arrived from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysian authorities had already apprehended and deported individuals connected to AKRM's network prior to his arrest in Indonesia.

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An ustaz being pursued? A politician being pursued? Of course, a red notice wouldn't be issued. What's clear is that if a red notice is issued, it goes through very strict verification.

The deportation was based on administrative certainty from the Ministry of Law in Cyprus, issued in May 2026, which detailed AKRM's involvement in criminal events in Nicosia. "We are deporting him due to the potential threat in the country and, of course, in accordance with procedures as an Interpol member state where there is an arrest warrant and suspect designation by the Cyprus Police," Widyatmoko added. He noted that AKRM's network is extensive in Southeast Asia and considered dangerous, though specific classifications are restricted and cannot be disclosed transparently.

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We are deporting him due to the potential threat in the country and, of course, in accordance with procedures as an Interpol member state where there is an arrest warrant and suspect designation by the Cyprus Police.