Crisis in Jordan: the army warned the former crown prince to end actions that endanger “the security and stability” of the country

Jordanian authorities have arrested a member of the royal family and a former adviser to the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, and an unknown number of people in connection with a campaign promoted “for security reasons”, amid the uncertainty over the situation of the former crown prince Hamza bin Husein, who denounced that you are under house arrest.

Bassem Awadallah, former adviser to King Abdullah II and former finance minister, was arrested on Saturday with Sharif Hasan bin Zaid, a member of the royal family, “for security reasons,” the agency said in a brief notice.

Awadallah was considered a promoter of economic reforms in the country, who for many years has encountered resistance from a former guard who dominated the court, according to the daily Washington post, whose sources understand that This investigation is linked to an alleged coup attempt in the country. According to the newspaper’s sources, a total of 20 people have been arrested in connection with the alleged plot.

The arrests were made “after close security surveillance”.said the agency, without giving more details.

Awadallah was appointed head of the royal court in 2007 and his last post in the Jordanian government was that of special envoy to Saudi Arabia.

It now remains to be seen how the situation of the former crown prince and half-brother of the monarch, Hamza bin Hussein, who sent a video via his lawyer to the British channel BBC in which he ensures that He is under house arrest despite the Jordanian general staff saying he simply urged him not to destabilize the country.

“This morning I had a visit from the Chief of Staff of the Jordanian Armed Forces during which informed me that I was not allowed to go out, communicate with people or meet them, because in the meetings I was present at, or in social networks linked to the visits I made, there were criticisms of the government or of the king, ”explains Hamza in the video, in which he denies that this be he who made these accusations.

“I am not responsible for the collapse of governance, corruption and incompetence this has prevailed in our governance structure for the past 15 to 20 years and has worsened. And I am not responsible for the lack of trust people have in their institutions, ”Hamza added.

“He’s reached a point where no one can speak or express their opinion about anything without being intimidated, arrested, harassed and threatened», He concludes.

A few hours before, the agency Petra had denied, first by “well-informed sources”, then by a statement of the General Staff, that the half-brother and crown prince of the king, aged 41, between 1999 and 2004, The monarch removed him from the estate for the benefit of his son, Hussein bin Abdullah – he was immobilized in his home.

The Jordanian Joint Chief of Staff, Yusef Ahmed al Hunaiti, confined himself to confirming that Hamza had been asked “to stop all activity and all movement against the security and stability of Jordan”.

Likewise, Al Hunaiti indicated that “all measures taken were carried out in accordance with the law “and after” thorough investigations which motivated them “, before declaring that” no one is above the law and that the security and stability of Jordan prevail on any consideration ”.

During, The United States has expressed support for King Abdullah II and considers him a “key partner”, after the authorities of this Arab country carried out the campaign of arrests.

“We are monitoring the reports closely and are in contact with Jordanian officials.”State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement. “King Abdullah is a key partner of the United States – added the spokesperson – and he has our full support ”.

With information from EuropaPress, EFE, AFP

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