A journalist who published information on the coronavirus vaccine – Middle East was arrested

A Jordanian journalist was arrested for posting information on his website that the coronavirus vaccine has reached the kingdom and that senior government officials have already been vaccinated, AFP reported, citing a judicial source.

The State Security Court prosecutor on Thursday ordered the arrest of journalist Jamal Haddad, editor of the Al-Waakai news site (“events” in Arabic), as he wrote that senior government officials had been vaccinated against COVID-19 the source told AFP. remain anonymous.

The journalist is accused of endangering national security, causing disturbances and disturbing public order. The prosecution has decided to keep him in custody for 15 days until a case is filed against him.

On Tuesday, the site published an article asking if the Pfizer vaccine had not secretly arrived in the country, given that senior Jordanian government officials had been vaccinated.

A source close to Hadad’s family told AFP today that the journalist was taken to hospital last night due to high blood pressure.

In a statement, the Council of the Jordanian Journalists Union said Hadad’s arrest had tarnished Jordan’s image and called for the journalist’s immediate release.

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The Council also stated that the State Security Court did not have jurisdiction to rule on cases related to freedom of expression and insisted that the case be heard by civil courts.

More than 285,000 coronavirus infections and 3,711 deaths have been reported in Jordan.

In the middle of the month, the kingdom approved the vaccine from Pfizer and Biontech, but Secretary of State for Epidemiological Affairs at the Ministry of Health, Wael Al Hayajne, announced Wednesday that the vaccines are expected to arrive in the country in late January or early. February. notes BTA.