The swift transfer to Cyprus of 41-year-old Palestinian national Abdul Karim Miqdad has prompted international reactions. Miqdad was arrested in Indonesia on 16 July and, according to the Cypriot authorities, was transferred to the Republic of Cyprus the following day on the basis of an Interpol Red Notice.
Miqdad has been remanded in custody for eight days and is being investigated over his alleged involvement in a planned terrorist attack targeting Israeli interests in Cyprus. Police describe him as the possible “mastermind” of a network allegedly involving three Palestinians who have already been referred for trial in Cyprus, as well as another suspect arrested in Crete.
According to investigators’ allegations, the 41-year-old, who was based in Malaysia, provided instructions on the construction of explosive devices and financed the travel and activities of members of the network. The same sources link him to Hamas and to alleged operational plans in several countries across Asia and the eastern Mediterranean.
The NGO has also raised concerns that Cyprus could serve as an intermediary stop in a possible extradition of Miqdad to Israel.
Competent sources described his arrest as a significant development, as it is believed that his questioning could shed further light on the structure, financing and international links of the alleged organisation as a whole.
At the same time, the Geneva Council for Rights and Liberties has expressed concerns about the legality of the procedure and the safeguards provided. The NGO argues that the documents it reviewed do not contain a sufficiently detailed description of the alleged acts or the related evidence. It has also raised questions about meaningful access to legal representation and the ability to challenge the transfer.
The Council has also referred to fears that Cyprus could serve as an intermediary stop in a possible extradition of Miqdad to Israel, although the published material does not indicate that any formal request has been submitted. It also relayed the family’s claim that the prosecution may be politically motivated because of his public pro-Palestinian activism.
Source: Phileleftheros
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