PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim says that the International Police (Interpol) has been used as a “tool by a dictator” in the issuing of the arrest warrant against International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) head Yusuf al-Qaradawi.

“I urge Interpol to withdraw the red notice on Yusuf as it is clear that is a baseless action and only shows Interpol is being used as a tool by a cruel dictator,” Anwar said in a statement today.

The dictator he was referring to was Egyptian President General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who Anwar claims to have influenced Interpol to issue an arrest on al-Qaradawi on Dec 5.

“I express my sorrow and resentment against the tyranny of General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Egypt over this action on a respected scholar  acclaimed by the entire Muslim world.”

Anwar ( right ) also urged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Putrajaya to condemn the arrest of al-Qaradawi, as a model Islamic nation.

“Malaysia as a model Islamic state has to front an initiative to urge Interpol to be professional towards al-Qaradawi rather than being a tool of the desperado ruler (Abdel Fattah).

“I also urge the Najib and the Malaysian government generally to take a firm stance to protest these actions,” Anwar added.

Interpol issued a ‘red notice’ to arrest the Muslim scholar on Dec 5 at the behest of the Egyptian government.

Among the charges that al-Qaradawi faced as stated on the Interpol website were agreement with, incitement and assistance to commit murder, helping prisoners to escape, arson, vandalism and theft.

In the lead-up to the 13th general election, both PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and Umno president Najib claimed to have received endorsement by the much-respected scholar.

The Egyptian scholar, 88, had also been awarded the Tokoh Maal Hijrah by the Malaysian government in 2009.

Al-Qaradawi, whose Islamic views are respected and recognised worldwide, has also supported Anwar and criticised the Malaysian government when the opposition leader was charged with Sodomy I and again in Sodomy II.