Yusril Confirms Deported Palestinian Abdul Karim Is Not a Cleric or Activist

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has clarified that the status of Abdul Karim Raeq Miqdad, a Palestinian citizen deported from Indonesia, is neither that of a cleric nor a humanitarian activist for Gaza. “There are circulating opinions that the Indonesian Government arrested and deported a Palestinian cleric,” Yusril stated during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (22/7). Yusril explained that he had undertaken in-depth verification steps, including communicating directly with the Palestinian Ambassador to confirm Abdul Karim’s citizenship status and background. Based on an examination of his passport and other supporting documents, Abdul Karim is known to be 41 years old. From this data, he said, it was confirmed that Abdul Karim is an ordinary citizen engaged in business. Although he had resided in Indonesia for the past three years, with a wife and child, no evidence was found of his involvement in humanitarian activities in the Gaza Strip. “The person concerned (Abdul Karim) also frequently travelled to other countries, but there is no evidence that he is a humanitarian activist in the Gaza Strip, as opinions circulating among the public suggest,” Yusril added. He also stressed that if Abdul Karim were truly a cleric, the public would certainly have known him through tabligh or religious study activities during his stay in Indonesia. Abdul Karim was arrested by security authorities in the Tangerang area, Banten, on Thursday (16/7). The arrest was a follow-up to a Red Notice issued by Interpol Cyprus. After undergoing an administrative process, he was deported to Cyprus on Friday (17/7). In Cyprus, Abdul Karim will face legal proceedings in a local court. He has been named a suspect in a criminal act of terrorism based on preliminary evidence gathered by Cypriot authorities.