Jordan’s State Security Rejects Request to Summon ‘Sedition’ Witnesses

Arab World

July 2nd, 8:12am

Amman - Mohammed Khair al-Rawashdeh

Security forces guard the State Security Court during a session (AP)

Jordan's State Security Court has rejected the defense attorneys’ request to summon 25 witnesses in the sedition case, in which former Royal Court chief Bassem Awadallah and Sherif Hassan Zaid are taken to trial. The list of defense witnesses in the case, linked to former Crown Prince Hamzah, included the prince himself, Princes Hachem and Ali, Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh, and Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi, along with twenty others. It also includes a British communications expert, who was part of major cases, including the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The court adjourned on Thursday and state-owned news agency, Petra, published a brief of the session which was closed to media. The Public Prosecution demanded in its concluding argument the highest punishment for the accused, while the defense attorneys asked the court for time to prepare a closing argument. Defense lawyer Mohammad Afif said the military court's decision not to take testimony from a list of potential defense witnesses - also including the prime minister and other princes - suggested the verdict could be swift. Speaking to reporters after the court session, Afif explained that the decision was justified that summoning some witnesses may affect the course of justice. Afif revealed that during the upcoming session on Tuesday, pleadings will be presented, and the verdict will be pronounced, expecting it to be before the judicial recess. He stressed that the case will be referred to the Court of Cassation if the verdict is not in favor of the defendants. The court sessions of the 'sedition' case started on June 21, 70 days after the arrest of the accused, Awadallah and Zaid. They are facing charges of undermining the security and stability of the country and undermining the political establishment. Prior to the trial, local media published audio leaks of the defendants with Prince Hamzah, including messages exchanged with Awadallah. The audio messages led to unveiling a plan targeting the security of Jordan by backing protests against the poor economic and social conditions aiming to create chaos.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3058436/jordan%E2%80%99s-state-security-rejects-request-summon-%E2%80%98sedition%E2%80%99-witnesses