NCB Polri Confirms Deportation of 'Palestinian Citizen' to Cyprus
The NCB Interpol Polri has confirmed the arrest of a Palestinian citizen, Abdul Karim Raed Miqdad. NCB Polri Secretary Brigadier General Widyatmoko stated that Interpol also deported Abdul Miqdad to Cyprus on Friday (17/7/2026).
“It is true that this was carried out by NCB Interpol Jakarta on grounds of national security and in accordance with the cooperation mechanism of all Interpol member countries regarding red notices,” Brigadier General Untung told Republika on Sunday evening (19/7/2026).
Untung explained that Abdul Karim Raed Miqdad’s name was on Interpol’s wanted list, meaning he had an international red notice status. He claimed the arrest and forced repatriation of Abdul Miqdad was at the request of NCB Interpol Nicosia-Cyprus.
As a member of the international police, NCB Polri has an obligation to arrest the subject of an international red notice if they enter or are within Indonesia’s jurisdiction. NCB Polri also has an obligation to repatriate the subject of the international red notice to the NCB Interpol of the requesting country.
“Indonesia has been known among Interpol members as a country that consistently carries out deportation actions against all Interpol red notices in criminal cases,” Untung said.
In the matter of Abdul Miqdad’s arrest and deportation, the applicant for the red notice status came from NCB Interpol Nicosia-Cyprus. NCB Interpol Nicosia-Cyprus directly requested that NCB Interpol Polri arrest and repatriate Abdul Miqdad because of his status as an international fugitive. “Indonesia is not a safe haven for criminals. And NCB Interpol Indonesia consistently takes firm action against all subjects of international red notices regardless of the political background of the Interpol red notice subject,” Untung stated.
Furthermore, Untung said the request from NCB Interpol Nicosia-Cyprus was in accordance with the provisions. “The same applies if NCB Interpol Indonesia has a subject of an international red notice who has fled to another country, in accordance with the standard police-to-police cooperation to secure and deport them to the requesting or issuing country of the international red notice,” Untung added. News of the arrest and deportation of Abdul Karim Raed Miqdad was reported by Aljazeera.net on Sunday (19/7/2026).
The news reached the Human Rights Council in Geneva, which expressed concern that the arrest and deportation of Abdul Miqdad could lead to his handover to the Zionist Israeli occupation authorities in Palestine. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has asked the government and security authorities in Indonesia to provide a transparent explanation regarding the arrest and deportation of Abdul Miqdad. The arrest and deportation of a Palestinian citizen is feared to bring a bad stigma to Indonesia, which has long been a supporter of Palestine.
MUI Chairman for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation, Professor Sudarnoto Abdul Hakim, said that Abdul Miqdad was known as a Palestinian activist who frequently visited and delivered many lectures in Indonesia. “I sincerely hope that the government will give serious attention to the humanitarian and international political dimensions of this case,” Sudarnoto told Republika on Sunday (19/7/2026).
He stated that if Abdul Miqdad is transferred to another authority, the government must ensure that this step does not lead to a situation that endangers his safety, basic rights, or human dignity. The government must also ensure that Indonesia does not become part of any process that could result in the handover of a person to a party that potentially poses a threat to their safety, freedom, or human rights.
The principles of humanitarian protection, non-refoulement, and respect for international law and international humanitarian law should be a concern in every form of interstate cooperation. “On the other hand, I consider it important that this case does not create a mistaken perception, both domestically and abroad, as if Indonesia is reducing its commitment to the struggle of the Palestinian people,” he said.