Toujan al-Faisal criticizes Abu al-Ragheb strongly
Jordan, Politics, 5/15/2002

Former Jordanian member of parliament Toujan al-Faisal who has been tried over "violating the sovereignty of the State" has made strong criticism to the Jordanian prime minister Ali Abu al-Rafheb during a "defense presentation" she herself read before the state security court, just two days before the announcement of the sentence in her case.

The chairman of the court Col. Tayel al-Raqqad was obliged to interrupt her many times during the procession, asking her to give up using expressions implying "defaming and insulting" of the court, the attorney general Muhannad Hijazi and the prime minister Ali Abu al-Ragheb.

Colonel Al-Raqqad decided to give his sentence to this issue tomorrow.

In her debate Toujan al-Faisal stressed that she is innocent from all charges addressed against her. She added "all what I have done in my life is that I served those people and committed myself to their sublime morals in rejecting corruption." The former member of parliament also accused the prime minister of "misusing his authorities and considered himself above the law." She questioned if this position she takes (by saying so) is in itself "a violation to the state's sovereignty."

Al-Faisal is facing four accusations mainly of false and exaggerated news that undermine the sovereignty of the state and the people and provoking unrest and committing of crimes.

Al-Faisal had accused the Jordanian prime minister of financially benefiting from a government decision to raise car insurance fees at 100%. A matter which was categorically denied by Abu al-Ragheb. On Tuesday Toujan al-Faisal stressed that the aim of that decision is to compensate for the "insurance companies losses" in one of which Abu al-Ragheb owns in a small percentage and Abu al-Ragheb stressed that his shares in the insurance company is too small to mention.

Toujan who is known for her sharp criticism to the successive Jordanian governments, claimed that Abu al-Ragheb offered her to be a minister as well as three cars after she had criticized him for several times, as well as a sum of money. She noted "my answer was a rejection of this bribe and this resulted in my trial."

Previous Stories:
  Toujan al-Faisal faces the court without lawyers   (5/14/2002)
  Toujan al- Faisal's defendant team give up her case; arrest of al-Shameylah   (5/9/2002)
  Al-Kabareiti: Toujan's criticism against the government is constructive   (5/1/2002)
  Toujan al-Faisal before the security court for speaking her mind   (4/17/2002)

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