Jordanian King Pardons 16 Detainees in Sedition Case

Jordan’s prosecutor has released 16 detainees in the “sedition case” at the directives of King Abdullah II, but kept two key suspects.

The King responded to the appeal of various tribes from Jordanian governorates, who submitted a petition asking him to show tolerance towards their loved ones.

After the meeting, the Royal Court issued a statement announcing that the King directed the concerned officials to follow the appropriate legal mechanism, to release those “misled, wronged, dragged behind this sedition” so they could be with family as soon as possible during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

The monarch described the recent events as “painful”, stressing that had the “sedition” not been halted, “it could have taken the country in a difficult direction.”

The King asserted his confidence in the kingdom's institutions, indicating that his duties are to serve and protect the people and the country.

The case refers to the plot to “destabilize the country” launched earlier this month, which was foiled by the authorities. The King’s half-brother, Prince Hamza, was suspected of involvement.

Authorities arrested 18 people accused of attempting to destabilize the Kingdom and referred their case to the court after completing the final stages of the investigation.

State Prosecutor General Hazem al-Majali said on Thursday that the former royal court chief, Bassem Awadallah, and Sharif Hassan bin Zaid would remain in detention.

Majali indicated that they were not released for their different roles, the type of their indictment, and the level of incitement that differs from the rest of the defendants who were freed.

Earlier, the prosecutor concluded the investigations into the recent events, saying they constituted a clear threat to the security and stability of the Kingdom.

The Military Court will set a date soon for the trial of Awadallah and bin Zaid after they were excluded from the royal pardon.