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The former crown prince of Jordan has said he has been placed under house arrest and his bodyguard has been arrested.
In a video clip transmitted to the BBC by the lawyer for Prince Hamzah bin Hussein, King Abdullah’s half-brother, the prince accused the country’s rulers of corruption and incompetence.
Jordanian security services have arrested Al-Sharif Hassan bin Zaid, former head of the royal court, Bassem Awadallah, and others.
The Jordanian News Agency (Petra), citing a security source, said the arrests took place for security reasons after close follow-up, saying “the investigation into the case is still ongoing.”
Published photo, Getty Images
Jordanian authorities deny imposing restrictions on Prince Hamzah
The Jordanian News Agency also cited informed sources who deny what has been reported by some media about Prince Hamzah’s arrest or house arrest.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Major General Yusef Ahmed Al-Hunaiti confirmed the inaccuracy of published allegations about Prince Hamzah’s arrest, but said he was asked to ” stop the movements and activities used to target security and stability as part of extensive joint investigations carried out by the security services Hassan bin Zaid and on behalf of Ibrahim Awad Allah and others.
Major General Al-Hunaiti said investigations are continuing and their results will be disclosed transparently and clearly. He stressed that all the measures taken had been taken within the framework of the law and after in-depth investigations which required them. He also confirmed that no one was above the law and that Jordan’s security and stability come first.
Activists had shared information on social media that the campaign of arrests included near the royal court.
Arrests of personalities of the royal family or close to it are rare in this country, which is a key ally of the United States in the Middle East.
In the first Arab reaction, the Saudi royal court issued a statement read on official television, declaring: “We support Jordan and support the decisions of King Abdullah aimed at preserving the security of the country”.
Published photo, Getty Images
Basem Awadallah was an influential force in Jordan’s economic affairs
Awadallah, who was educated in the United States, was a consultant and figure close to the Jordanian monarch, Abdullah II, before later serving as finance minister. He was seen as the driving force behind economic reforms before resigning as head of the royal court in 2008. Awadallah faced great resistance from the old guard and the bureaucratic system inherent in the country which had developed during years thanks to government privileges.
Jordan’s powerful General Intelligence Service, which has great influence in public life, has played a larger public role since the imposition of emergency laws at the start of the Corona outbreak last year, which, according to civil society organizations, violate civil and political rights. citizens.
It should be noted that Jordan benefits from few natural resources and its economy has been severely affected by the spread of the Corona epidemic. The kingdom has also absorbed waves of refugees fleeing civil war in neighboring Syria.
Jordan is a major United States ally in the region, as it has assisted the United States in security operations. He is also a partner in the campaign led by the United States against the so-called Islamic State.
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