Sheikh Ahmad Al Misry Arrested by Security Forces in Egypt

The reporter in the case of alleged sexual abuse against students, Muhammad Mahdi Alatas, stated that the suspect Sheikh Ahmad Al Misry has been arrested by authorities in Egypt. The suspect, he said, has been detained by the Al-Amn al-Watani unit (National Security Forces), part of the Egyptian National Police (ENP). “He has been detained there. Ahmad Misri was detained starting from 23 April. So, when I first spoke up, it was on 22 April. On 23 April, he was detained,” Mahdi told reporters at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency building in South Jakarta, citing detikcom, on Monday (11/5). He mentioned that Ahmad Al Misry and his wife were briefly released for one day by Egyptian authorities. However, on 27 April 2024, they were picked up again and detained until now. Nevertheless, he has not received any explanation on the reasons for the detention, as it is stated to be in the investigation stage. Despite this, he hopes for negotiations to return Ahmad Al Misry to Indonesia to be held accountable. “Interpol is already in motion, everything is working, it’s just about the technicalities. Like that, and insyaallah as soon as possible, he can be brought back to Indonesia,” he hoped. Mahdi believes Egyptian authorities will not protect Sheikh Ahmad. Because in Egypt, the individual has no influence and is just an ordinary citizen. “I am sure not. The Egyptian government will not protect him. (Because Ahmad Al Misry in Egypt) as an ordinary person. Now this, we should not be easily surprised, not easily impressed seeing someone who can speak a bit of Arabic immediately considered a god,” he said. Furthermore, Mahdi conveyed that to date, the status of Ahmad Al Misry’s citizenship has not been answered by Egyptian authorities. He suspects Ahmad Al Misry also holds Egyptian citizenship. “Communication earlier from this side has also asked about his citizenship. However, from the Egyptian side, there has been no answer yet on whether he still holds dual citizenship or not,” Mahdi said. “Even though there is strong conviction, both information to me and to several friends—that he still holds dual citizenship,” he added. Meanwhile, regarding case developments, Mahdi is currently advocating for as many as 13 victims spread across various regions. The victims are minors scattered in various areas. “The last one to me is 13 (victims). To me, the last is 13. But the ones we have reported (officially to the police) are only five so far,” he said. Mahdi stated that the victims were allegedly swayed by Sheikh Ahmad’s persuasion, promising scholarships in Egypt. However, from departure tickets, residence permits, to living expenses, all were borne by the victims themselves once they arrived in the country. “In fact, the victims who have gone there did not receive scholarships. They paid for their own tickets, even in Egypt, they were left hanging for about a year. They had to handle their own residence permits, handle their own school admissions. So, it’s like throwing a kid goat into the grassland, just like that,” he revealed. Previously, Indonesian Police through the International Relations Division (Divhubinter) had submitted a red notice against the preacher Sheikh Ahmad Al Misry (SAM). He is a suspect in the alleged sexual abuse case against students.