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Jordan to Try Suspects Arrested in 'Sedition' Case

King Abdullah II lays a wreath at a memorial in Amman on the occasion of the Kingdom's independence (AFP)
King Abdullah II lays a wreath at a memorial in Amman on the occasion of the Kingdom's independence (AFP)
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Jordan to Try Suspects Arrested in 'Sedition' Case

King Abdullah II lays a wreath at a memorial in Amman on the occasion of the Kingdom's independence (AFP)
King Abdullah II lays a wreath at a memorial in Amman on the occasion of the Kingdom's independence (AFP)

Jordan’s State Security Court started an investigation into the case of former chief of the royal court, Bassem Awadallah, Sharif Hassan bin Zaid, and others, accused of sedition and “undermining the security and stability of the kingdom,” according to judicial sources.

Almamlaka stated TV quoted an official source as saying that the Public Prosecutor of the State Security Court began Wednesday the investigation into the coup for all those involved, without giving further details.

The State Security Prosecutor will review the case of April 03 which was linked to the former Crown Prince Hamza bin al-Hussein, the King’s half-brother.

Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh asserted in a parliamentary session that the former heir will not be tried and that his case “has been resolved within the Royal Household,” and the case has been handed over to the prosecution.

Activists circulated copies of the ruling family law issued in 1937, which did not include immunity for family members.

Khasawneh revealed, in two separate House of Representatives meetings last Monday, details of the relationship between Prince Hamza, Awadallah, and bin Zaid.

He disclosed that there had been suspicious movements and visits exchanged between the prince and the former chief of the Royal Court, as well as coordination that lasted more than a year.

According to the deputies, Khasawneh said they even discussed dates to implement their plans to destabilize security and stability, in preparation for the prince to present himself as a King.

Meanwhile, deputies stated that the prime minister linked the recent events with the pressures that King Abdullah II faced for refusing to join the plan of the “deal of the century” that was promoted by the former US administration.

The prime minister stated that the evidence proves the involvement of the detainees, confirming elements tried to use local incidents to instigate strife and mobilize forces against the King. They even used thousands of fake accounts on social media, directed from abroad to spread rumors and rhetoric against the Kng.

Earlier, a joint force of the armed forces and the General Intelligence arrested 16 people, including Awadallah and bin Zaid.

Prince Hamza was ordered to halt all actions targeting security and stability, and then Prince el-Hassan bin Talal succeeded in forcing him to sign a letter, in which he renewed allegiance to the King, placing “himself at the disposal” of the Jordanian monarch.

Last Sunday, Prince Hamza appeared behind King Abdullah II with the sons of the late King Hussein and his cousins visiting the royal graves on the occasion of 100 years of the Hashemite kingdom’s independence.

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Arab World

Lebanon Ready for Syria Pact to Repatriate Non-Terror Convicts

Lebanon’s Justice Minister Adel Nassar (NNA)
Lebanon’s Justice Minister Adel Nassar (NNA)
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Lebanon Ready for Syria Pact to Repatriate Non-Terror Convicts

Lebanon’s Justice Minister Adel Nassar (NNA)
Lebanon’s Justice Minister Adel Nassar (NNA)

Lebanon’s Justice Minister Adel Nassar said Beirut had received no warnings from Damascus about potential retaliatory measures to push for the release of Syrian detainees held in Lebanese prisons, dismissing any talk of escalation as unnecessary.

“There’s no need for escalation. We’re fully open to resolving this issue through direct dialogue and a formal treaty with the Syrian authorities, one that allows the transfer of Syrian convicts, except those sentenced for killing Lebanese soldiers or for terrorism charges,” Nassar told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Nassar revealed that his ministry had already prepared a draft agreement aimed at moving the stalled file forward, stressing that resolving the issue is in Lebanon’s interest as much as Syria’s.

“This would ease the severe overcrowding in our prisons,” he said. “We’re determined to take every step in full compliance with Lebanese law and judicial procedures.”

According to Nassar, some 1,700 Syrians are currently detained in Lebanon, including 389 with final verdicts. The rest are still on trial.

“Their treatment is identical to that of Lebanese inmates,” he added. “We’re holding court sessions directly at Roumieh prison to address logistical constraints, and there’s also an intention to do the same for the military court.”

Addressing the recent Cabinet appointment of Maher Shaito as financial public prosecutor, a move widely seen as a win for the minister after rejecting a nominee backed by the Hezbollah-Amal alliance, Nassar insisted the process was purely institutional.

“This was a victory for state institutions. I can’t nominate someone I don’t believe is qualified,” he said. “After consulting senior judges and the head of the Higher Judicial Council, it was clear there was consensus around Shaito due to his credentials and track record.”

He stressed that the appointment involved “no deals or political bartering,” adding that while he found Judge Ziad Hamadeh unsuitable for that specific post, “I never said he was unfit for another position.”

Nassar described his meeting Saturday with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri as “positive,” saying Berri expressed support for the minister’s efforts under the principle of judicial independence.

On long-awaited judicial appointments, Nassar said the Judicial Council was working “around the clock” and had promised to complete the file by the end of the month. “Some 600 names are currently under consideration,” he noted.

As Lebanon approaches the fifth anniversary of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, Nassar said he would not interfere with the timeline of investigative judge Tarek Bitar, who is handling the politically sensitive case.

“Judge Bitar is continuing his probe, and I’m offering full cooperation within the limits of my authority, especially when it comes to securing information from abroad,” he said. “We won’t allow any obstruction of his work.”

Nassar said the timing of the indictment “depends on whether he receives the answers to all his questions,” adding: “There’s no legal deadline obliging him to issue a ruling by a specific date.”

Responding to reports that he and other ministers had objected to certain appointments during the last Cabinet session, Nassar confirmed his opposition to the newly named Banking Control Commission, saying ministers had not been briefed beforehand.

He also voiced strong objection to linking the disarmament of Hezbollah to any other file.

“I told Cabinet and President Joseph Aoun that the issue of arms must not be conditional. I believe in the exclusive right of the state to bear arms - there can be no functioning state otherwise,” he said.

Nassar added that Aoun had promised to refer any final document related to the ongoing US-mediated talks on the weapons issue back to the Cabinet for discussion.