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Rizieq has overstayed his visa: Envoy
The Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, came out with a statement on Friday in response to complaints by supporters of Rizieq Shihab, who are calling on the government to assist in the cleric's legal woes abroad.
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Rizieq Shihab addresses his supporters after testifying as a witness in the blasphemy trial of former Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama on Feb. 28, 2017. (Republika/POOL/Raisan Al Farisi/ via JP)
R
izieq Shihab, a firebrand cleric who has been on the run overseas for more than a year, has overstayed his visa in Saudi Arabia, the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh said in a statement on Friday.
"Based on our investigation, Mohammad Rizieq Shihab’s visa to reside in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has passed its prescribed expiration date," Indonesian Ambassador Agus Maftuh Abegebriel said in the statement.
His first visa expired on May 9 this year but had been renewed until July 20. Any foreign national seeking to further extend their stay is required to leave the country to apply again.
"But because Rizieq has been in the kingdom up until today, he no longer has a valid staying permit," Agus said.
The envoy was quick to add that the embassy in Riyadh would provide the necessary assistance in accordance with Saudi Law should Rizieq experience any legal problems in the country.
The statement was released in response to complaints by the hard-line cleric's supporters, who had claimed that a restriction was imposed on the activities of the FPI leader in Mecca. The response also seems to corroborate claims that the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader was taken into custody for questioning by Saudi authorities.
However, Agus said he had no knowledge of Rizieq's whereabouts in Saudi Arabia.
"The Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh, as a channel of communication between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, has neither received a diplomatic note nor a facsimile from the foreign minister, the National Police chief, the head of [the intelligence agency] or other relevant officials about the presence of Rizieq in Saudi Arabia," he said.
Agus also revealed that Rizieq had been on a ziyarah tijariyyah (visiting business) visa, which does not permit him to work in the country.
Rizieq had been charged by the police with violating the 2008 Pornography Law in May 2017. By that time, Rizieq had fled to Saudi Arabia and refused to return to Indonesia, despite several police summonses.
The police dropped the case in June, citing a lack of evidence.
