Police Reveal Facts Behind Palestinian National's Arrest: Not an Activist, but a Terrorism Fugitive

The Indonesian National Police’s International Relations Division has clarified the facts surrounding the arrest of a Palestinian national, Abdul Karim Raed Miqdad, who was subsequently deported to Cyprus. Police Brigadier General Untung Widyatmoko, Secretary of the NCB Interpol Indonesia, confirmed that Miqdad was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice issued by NCB Interpol Nicosia for criminal acts of terrorism. “The individual concerned is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice from NCB Interpol Nicosia. He is not an activist, but a perpetrator of criminal acts of terrorism,” Untung stated on Monday, 20 July 2026. He explained that the enforcement action was not carried out suddenly but was based on intelligence analysis received by the Indonesian National Police from NCB Interpol Nicosia. He also denied rumours suggesting Miqdad was to be transferred to a country other than Cyprus. “It was not a sudden arrest; it was based on the intelligence analysis we received. Moreover, claims that he would be transferred to another country besides Cyprus are completely untrue,” he said. Untung further disclosed that Miqdad was found to be in possession of three passports. Upon examination, two of the European passports were suspected to be forgeries and were listed in the Stolen and Lost Travel Document (SLTD) database. “Incidentally, the individual had three passports (one Palestinian and two European). I examined them and found that the two passports (from Cyprus and Norway) were forgeries from the SLTD database, likely originating from theft,” he explained. Miqdad was arrested on 16 July 2026 and deported to Cyprus the following day, on 17 July 2026, in accordance with the request based on the Interpol Red Notice. “There was nothing wrong with the deportation. In fact, usually once they are caught, they are immediately deported,” he added.