Jordan ex-legislator sentenced to two years in prison for criticism of government
Jordan, Politics, 10/16/2007

Reporters sans frontières (RSF), Paris, spoke about the two-year prison sentence imposed by a Jordan state security court on 9 October 2007 on former parliamentarian Ahmad Oweidi Abbadi, for "attacking the state's prestige and reputation" by criticizing government corruption on his party's website.

"Jordan is a country where there is absolutely no respect for the right to inform and be informed when someone wants to express opposition to the monarchy or criticize the regime's leading players," the press freedom organization said. "We are particularly worried by the fact that more and more journalists are being prosecuted."

A member of parliament from 1989 to 1993 and from 1997 to 2001, and head of the Jordan National Movement, a party that is not recognized by the government, Abbadi posted articles on his party's website that were very critical of the government and corruption in ruling circles. The court also took issue with his email correspondence with the United States government.

A defamation action was brought against him in May by interior minister Eid Al-Fayez after he posted an open letter to US senator Harry Reid on the Internet accusing the minister and other government members of corruption.

Aged 62, Abbadi was arrested on 3 May and placed in Amman's Jwaideh prison. The trial that ended on 9 October lasted more than two months. Abbadi now has 40 days in which to appeal.

The United States regards Jordan as one of its leading Middle East allies and portrays it as a model of democratic reform, but its media are kept under close surveillance and media licenses are rarely granted. The first privately-owned television station, ATV, was given a license two years ago but it still has not been allowed to begin broadcasting.

Previous Stories:
  Ex-parliamentarian arrested for criticizing government corruption   (5/15/2007)
  Jordan information law limits access instead of facilitating it   (5/1/2007)
  Jordan blocks newspaper over story on 'secret' Palestinian plan   (5/1/2007)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search