TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the deportation case of Palestinian citizen Abdul Karim Raed Miqdad is purely related to a criminal case. Ministry spokesperson Nabyl Achmad Mulachela emphasized Indonesia's commitment to pushing for Palestinian independence.
"It is important to note that Indonesia's stance in supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people has never changed," said Nabyl to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Central Jakarta on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
Nabyl stated that previously, Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correction Yusril Ihza Mahendra had addressed the matter to the public.
"This issue is purely a matter unrelated to our relationship with Palestine, but it is a criminal issue," he said.
Separately, Yusril denied that Miqdad, who was deported to Cyprus, was neither a humanitarian activist nor a preacher.
"There are still conflicting reports stating that Abdul Karim is a cleric," said Yusril at a press conference in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
Yusril also addressed the emerging opinion that the Indonesian government had captured and deported a Palestinian cleric. Yusril admitted that they had communicated with the Palestinian Ambassador, including checking Miqdad's passport data and so on.
As a result, it was found that Miqdad is 41 years old and is not a cleric.
"I believe, if he were a cleric, the public would know; maybe he is somewhere giving religious teaching or spreading religious beliefs. We can confirm there is none," said Yusril.
According to him, Miqdad is involved in business activities, but is not associated with clerical activities. He then responded to the news stating that Miqdad is a humanitarian activist in Gaza.
Yusril confirmed that the Palestinian citizen had been in Indonesia for three years. He also mentioned that Miqdad is married to an Indonesian citizen and has children.
Furthermore, the Secretary of the National Central Bureau (NCB) of Interpol Indonesia, Brigadier General Untung Widyatmoko, stated that the deportation of Miqdad to Cyprus was conducted in accordance with legal procedures.
Untung ensured that law enforcement actions are not related to humanitarian activities, support for Palestine, or his religious identity.
"The person was pursued based on immigration crossing data entering Indonesia. So, if it is said that we did something non-procedural, that is totally wrong," said Untung when contacted on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
Untung explained that Interpol Nicosia issued a red notice against Miqdad on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, on charges of terrorism in Cyprus. After that, authorities detected Abdul Karim entering Indonesia from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
According to Untung, Interpol would not issue a red notice if the case involving the subject is related to politics, religion, human rights, military, or race. This provision is outlined in Article 3 of the Interpol Constitution, which establishes the organization's foundation of neutrality. Red notices are only used for general criminal offenses.
Amelia Rahima Sari and Hanin Marwah contributed to this article
Read: Indonesia Deports Palestinian Wanted by Interpol to Cyprus
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