Report: Jordan Arrests Following Alleged Plot

In Jordan, according to a Washington Post report, nearly 20 people were arrested, in connection with an alleged plot against King Abdullah II. In addition, Prince Hamza bin Hussein, the king’s half-brother, was asked to investigate a “complex” AND a powerful conspiracy “not to leave his palace in Amman.

The newspaper reported on Saturday, citing a high-ranking government official in the Middle East who had been briefed on the case. Initially there was no official confirmation of this.

The state agency Petra only reported that two high-ranking men had been arrested “for security reasons”: Bassem Awadallah, former president of the royal court, and Sharif Hassan Ben Zaid, a member of the royal family. Other suspects were also arrested as part of the investigation. Petra also reported, citing an unidentified “knowledgeable source”, that Prince Hamza had not been arrested or placed under house arrest.

Hamza bin Hussein, 41, was Crown Prince of Jordan from 1999 to 2004. But then, surprisingly, King Abdullah II removed him as heir to the throne and cleared the way for his eight-year-old son. He wanted to release Prince Hamza from the “limitations” of his office to give him other options, he told himself at the time.

Chief of Staff Yusef Huneity urged Prince Hamza in a statement late Saturday night to refrain from actions that could jeopardize the stability of the kingdom. The prince should “put an end to activities and measures aimed at the security and stability of Jordan.” This request was made after “extensive investigations by security authorities.” Al-Hunaiti also denied that Prince Hamza had been placed under house arrest.

Prince Hamza’s office manager Yasser Majali has also been arrested, according to unconfirmed reports. His niece Bazma wrote on Twitter that Majali had been moved to an undisclosed location after a raid.