Yusril Emphasizes Abdul Karim is Not a Palestinian Cleric or Gaza Activist

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra emphasized that the Interpol fugitive, Abdul Karim Raeq Miqdad, was not an ulama from Palestine nor a humanitarian activist in Gaza.

The statement was in response to various conflicting information saying Abdul Karim was a scholar and activist from Palestine.

"There are opinions that are developing that the Indonesian Government has arrested and deported a Palestinian cleric," Yusril said at a press conference reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, July 22.

Yusril admitted that he had communicated with the Palestinian Ambassador to ensure the status of Abdul Karim.

Based on data from passports and other documents, he said, Abdul Karim was known to be 41 years old and could be confirmed not to be a cleric or activist, but an ordinary person who was involved in the business world.

He said Abdul Karim was a Palestinian citizen who had been living in Indonesia for the past 3 years and had been married and had children.

"But the person concerned often goes in and out of other countries, but there is no evidence that he is a humanitarian activist in the Gaza Strip, as is the opinion that is developing in the midst of the community," he said.

If it is true that Abdul Karim is a scholar, Yusril assesses that the community should have known him when giving tabligh and lectures.

Abdul Karim was arrested in the Tangerang area, Banten, Indonesia on Thursday (16/7), after the issuance of a red notice alias red notice by the Cyprus Interpol and deported to Cyprus on Friday (17/7).

After being deported, Yusril said Abdul Karim would be tried in the Cyprus Court after being named a suspect in a terrorism crime based on the initial evidence that had been collected.

Thus, it was ascertained that Abdul Karim would not be handed over by the Government of Cyprus to the Government of Israel, as the narrative circulated later.

"After I met with the Ambassador of Cyprus, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also submit an official diplomatic note to the Government of Cyprus to obtain assurances that there will be no further deportations from Cyprus," said Yusril.