The government of Cyprus has provided formal assurances to Indonesia that 41-year-old Palestinian national Abdul Karim Raed Miqdad will not be handed over to Israel following his transfer to Nicosia. The transfer occurred on Friday, July 17, 2026, based on an Interpol red notice, with official communication regarding the case reportedly active since May 21. Following public outcry and concerns raised by Palestinian media and NGOs regarding potential human rights violations and fears of further extradition to Israel, Indonesian immigration minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra met with the Cypriot ambassador to Indonesia, Nikos Panayiotou, to secure a pledge against such an outcome.

Indonesian authorities have defended the deportation process, with Untung Widyatmoko of Interpol Indonesia’s National Central Bureau stating that the handover strictly followed legally prescribed international procedures. Jakarta officially dismissed claims that Miqdad was a scientist or humanitarian activist, categorizing him as an ordinary individual wanted in Cyprus for alleged terrorism-related offences. While Indonesia insists the process was regular, it continues to monitor the situation to ensure the requested assurances are honored. The case remains a matter of ongoing diplomatic discussion between the two nations.