Indonesia Says Deported Palestinian Isn't a Cleric or Gaza Activist

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra has clarified the deportation of Palestinian national Abdul Karim Raed Miqdad, saying the case was not related to his alleged identity as a religious figure or humanitarian activist in Gaza.

Miqdad was deported from Indonesia to Cyprus on July 17, 2026, following an Interpol red notice issued at the request of Cypriot authorities.

He was not sent back to Palestine because Cyprus, where he is wanted, had requested his transfer and Indonesia does not have an extradition agreement with the country.

"Miqdad was deported by the Indonesian Police, as we do not have an extradition agreement with the Republic of Cyprus," Yusril said at a press conference in South Jakarta on Wednesday, July 22, after meeting with Cyprus Ambassador to Indonesia Nikos Panayiotou.

Indonesia Rejects Claims Miqdad Was Palestinian Cleric

Yusril also rejected claims circulating online that Miqdad was a Palestinian cleric or a humanitarian activist in Gaza.

"There are opinions developing that the Indonesian government arrested and deported a Palestinian cleric," Yusril said.

He said he had communicated with the Palestinian ambassador to verify Miqdad’s background. Based on passport records and other documents, authorities found that the 41-year-old Palestinian national was not a religious figure or humanitarian worker, but an ordinary citizen involved in business activities.

Miqdad had lived in Indonesia for the past three years, where he was married and had children. Yusril said there was no evidence showing that Miqdad was involved in humanitarian activities in Gaza, as some public narratives had suggested.

"If he were indeed a cleric, people would already know him from his sermons and religious activities," Yusril said.

Wanted by Cyprus Through Interpol Red Notice

According to Yusril, Miqdad became the subject of an Interpol red notice after Cypriot authorities suspected him of involvement in a criminal case.

The Cyprus Police had gathered preliminary evidence and designated him a suspect. However, Yusril declined to disclose the specific alleged offense, saying it was the authority of the Cyprus government to reveal details of the case.

"The case suspected to have been committed by Abdul Karim Miqdad is purely criminal," Yusril said, adding that Interpol considered the case unrelated to religious, political, or human rights issues.

Yusril said communication between the Cyprus Police and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) had been ongoing since May 21, 2026. After Interpol issued the red notice on July 16, Indonesian authorities arrested Miqdad in Tangerang, Banten, on July 16 and transferred him to Cyprus the following day.

"When he was captured, he was immediately handed over to the Cyprus Police," Yusril said.

Indonesia Seeks Assurance Over Further Deportation

Yusril also denied claims that Cyprus would hand Miqdad over to Israel after his deportation.

Following his meeting with the Cyprus ambassador, Yusril said Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry would send an official diplomatic note requesting assurance that there would be no further deportation from Cyprus.

"After I met with the Cyprus ambassador, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry will send an official diplomatic note to the Cyprus government to obtain certainty that there will be no further deportation from Cyprus," he said.

Miqdad is currently in Cyprus and is expected to face legal proceedings after being named a suspect by Cypriot authorities. Reports have said he is wanted over alleged terrorism-related charges, although details of the evidence behind the accusations have not been publicly disclosed.

Hammam Izzuddin contributed to the writing of this article.

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