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- In Jordan, Prince Hamsa bin Hussein has been placed under house arrest in connection with an alleged conspiracy against King Abdullah II.
- Furthermore, the Washington Post reports that nearly 20 people were arrested in Jordan in this context.
The British BBC released a video late Saturday night that 41-year-old Prince Hamsa bin Hussein was said to have recorded his arrest and leaked the station with the help of his lawyer.
In it he makes serious accusations against King Abdullah II for calling the government system corrupt, and talks about arrests, intimidation and threats against the king’s critics. The incompetent and corrupt government apparently wants to silence its opponents by all means.
Prince Hamsa says in the video that the chief of staff visited him on Saturday morning and informed him that he was not allowed to leave the house and not have any contact with the outside world.
His phone and internet connections were cut. “I am not part of any infamous conspiracy, organization or group with foreign support,” protested the prince.
Apparently several arrests
Around the same time that the prince had spoken, the Washington Post reported the arrest of nearly 20 people in connection with an alleged plot against King Abdullah II.
The newspaper wrote about an investigation into a “complex and far-reaching” conspiracy, citing a senior Middle East government official who had been briefed on the case. There was no official confirmation for this.
The state agency Petra only reported that two high-ranking men and other suspects had been arrested “for security reasons”: Bassim Auadalla, a former finance minister, and Hassan bin Said, a member of the royal family.
Petra also reported, citing an anonymous “knowledgeable source” that Prince Hamsa had not been arrested or placed under house arrest.
The Chief of Staff, Jussif al-Hunaiti, asked Prince Hamsa in a statement late Saturday night to refrain from taking actions that could endanger the stability of the kingdom.
The prince must “put an end to activities and steps that undermine Jordan’s security and stability,” he demanded, referring to “thorough investigations by security authorities.” Al-Hunaiti also denied that Prince Hamsa had been placed under house arrest.
International support for the king
That night, other Arab countries expressed their support for King Abdullah II. Saudi Arabia said it fully supports “any decision or step” that safeguards Jordan’s security and stability. Similar statements were received from Egypt, Bahrain, Kuwait and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
US Foreign Office spokesman Ned Price described King Abdullah II as a “key partner” of the United States, with the “full support” of the United States.
Jordan is considered largely stable and secure compared to some of its regional neighbors.
