Indonesia denies irregular deportation, seeks Cyprus assurance on Miqdad

Local HamasindonesiaIsraelPalestineterrorismTop News Indonesia denies irregular deportation, seeks Cyprus assurance on Miqdad Police Miqdad Relevant News Indonesia denies irregular deportation, seeks Cyprus assurance on Miqdad 23 July 2026 Police make 13 arrests, log 339 traffic offences overnight 23 July 2026 Motorcyclist seriously injured after crashing into trees in Paphos 23 July 2026 Fanis Makrides 23 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Indonesian officials rejected claims on Wednesday that the deportation of Abdul Karim Miqdad, a 41-year-old Palestinian national wanted in Cyprus over an alleged terrorism-related offence, followed an irregular process, and said Jakarta would formally request assurances from Nicosia that he will not be further deported to Israel. The pushback follows international reactions to Miqdad’s deportation and handover to Cyprus. A senior Indonesian government official also met with Nicos Panayiotou, the Republic of Cyprus’s Ambassador to Indonesia, on the matter. The reaction came after Palestinian media outlets and a Geneva-based NGO raised concerns from last week that Miqdad had been handed over to Cyprus through an expedited process, suggesting his rights may have been violated and that he could subsequently be handed over from Cyprus to Israel. Untung Widyatmoko, secretary of Interpol Indonesia’s National Central Bureau, told the Tempo website that Miqdad’s transfer to Cyprus was “carried out in accordance with the legally prescribed procedures.” He stressed the arrest and deportation were not connected to any humanitarian action or support for Palestine, or to Miqdad’s religious identity. Widyatmoko explained that Miqdad was identified attempting to cross from Malaysia into Indonesia and was stopped during a passport check. “It is a big mistake to say that we acted outside of procedures,” he added. He referred to a red notice issued by Interpol Nicosia against Miqdad on June 10, 2026, over a case that Cyprus classifies as a terrorism-related offence. Authorities subsequently established that Miqdad had entered Indonesian territory from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, he said. Interpol does not issue red notices in cases involving political, religious, human rights, military or racial matters, he noted. Widyatmoko went on to say Interpol Indonesia proceeded with Miqdad’s deportation, rather than extradition, describing it as “a preventive measure to limit potential terrorist threats in the country.” Authorities followed lawful procedure using official arrest documents based on a transfer request from Cyprus Police, he said. “So which procedure did we violate?” he asked. Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections, also addressed the case. “Miqdad was deported by the Indonesian police, as we have no extradition agreement with the Republic of Cyprus,” he said at a press conference in South Jakarta on Wednesday, following his meeting with the Cypriot ambassador. Mahendra rejected claims that Miqdad was a Palestinian religious leader or a humanitarian activist in Gaza. He said he had contacted the Palestinian ambassador to confirm Miqdad’s background, and that based on passport data and other documents, authorities determined the 41-year-old was neither a religious figure nor a humanitarian worker, but an ordinary citizen engaged in business activity. Miqdad had lived in Indonesia for the past three years, where he had married and had children, Mahendra said. He added there was no evidence Miqdad had taken part in humanitarian action in Gaza. Mahendra also rejected claims that Cyprus could hand Miqdad over to Israel following his deportation. Following his meeting with the Cypriot ambassador, he said Indonesia’s foreign ministry would formally approach the Cypriot government on the matter. “The Indonesian foreign ministry will send an official diplomatic request to the Cypriot government to obtain assurance that there will be no further deportation from Cyprus,” he said. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Police make 13 arrests, log 339 traffic offences overnight Motorcyclist seriously injured after crashing into trees in Paphos Summer evenings in the courtyard with Cypriot meze 44 degree peak with clear skies Blackouts halted as Cyprus electricity supply stabilises following evening crisis Islandwide power cuts hit Cyprus: Full list of affected areas by group Rolling blackouts hit Cyprus as demand surges past power capacity Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.