April 4, 2021
3 mins read

Jordan’s Prince Hamzah under house arrest

The head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Yousef Ahmed al-Hunaiti, denied reports that the former Crown Prince and King Abdullah’s half-brother was under house arrest or detained…reports Asian Lite News

Jordan’s Prince Hamzah said that he was told by the head of the armed forces not to leave his house or communicate with people, in videos released to international broadcasters hours after the military denied he was under house arrest.

The head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Yousef Ahmed al-Hunaiti, denied reports that the former Crown Prince and King Abdullah’s half-brother was under house arrest or detained, dpa news agency reported.

However, Hamzah released two videos shortly after contradicting the army’s statement.

“I had a visit from the chief of general staff of the Jordanian armed forces this morning, in which he informed me that I was not allowed to go out, to communicate with people or to meet with them because in the meetings that I had been present in, or on social media relating to visits that I had made, there has been criticism of the government or the king,” Hamzah said in a video published by the BBC, where he was speaking in English.

Hamzah said he was not accused of making the criticisms himself.

He said his security has been removed and the internet and phone lines have been cut.

“This is my last form of communication, satellite internet,” he said, adding that the company told him it was instructed to cut it as well.

“I am not the person responsible for the breakdown in governance, for the corruption and for the incompetence that has been prevalent in our governing structure for the last 15 to 20 years,” the Prince added.

Also read:Iran enters 4th Covid wave: Rouhani

Another video, where he spoke in Arabic, was broadcast by Al Jazeera.

While there has been previous rumours about division within Jordan’s royal family, such a public split is rare.

HRH Prince Hamzah bin Al Hussein

Hamzah, 41, was Jordan’s Crown Prince between 1999 and 2004, when Abdullah removed him and appointed his own son.

At the time, he said he will remain a devout support to Abdullah in official letter published by state media.

A report by The Washington Post said Hamzah was placed under house arrest amid an ongoing investigation into an alleged coup plot.

Al-Hunaiti denied this, but said that Hamzah was asked to refrain from activities that could be damaging to the kingdom’s stability.

Following “comprehensive investigations by security services”, the Prince was “asked to stop activities and movements that are employed to target the security and stability of Jordan”, al-Hunaiti said in a statement.

“Investigations are ongoing and results will be revealed with full transparency,” he added.

These investigations have led to the arrest of several high-profile figures, al-Hunaiti cnfirmed.

Also read:Members of Iran nuclear deal to convene in Vienna

Unconfirmed reports said the head of Hamzah’s office, Yasser Majali, was also arrested, though he was not identified in official statements.

Majali’s niece, Basma, wrote on Twitter that their family house was raided and Majali was taken to an unknown destination.

Al-Hunaiti’s statement only confirmed the identities of two high-profile figures previously revealed by Petra news agency.

One of them is Bassem Ibrahim Awadallah, who was the chief of the Royal Hashemite Court for one year in 2007.

He is also a former Finance Minister.

The other is Hassan bin Zaid, a member of the royal family.

Support from Arab neighbours poured in to King Abdullah.

Saudi Arabia expressed its full support to “any decisions or measures” taken by King Abdullah and Crown Prince al-Hussein to maintain the security and stability of the kingdom.

Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt and the Gulf Cooperation Council have issued similar statements.

Also read:Iran steps back from US talks in Vienna

Previous Story

Protests in England, Wales against crime bill

Next Story

Traditional art forms on exhibition

Latest from -Top News

India to Join G20 Energy Talks in South Africa

The meeting is being hosted under South Africa’s G20 Presidency in the country’s KwaZulu Natal province…reports Asian Lite News Union Power Minister Manohar Lal will represent India at the G20 Energy Transitions

One Year On, Where Is Bangladesh Headed?

Since taking charge as head of the interim government, Nobel Laureate Yunus Mohammed pledged reform — promising fair elections and transparent governance. A year on, those promises remain unfulfilled….writes Ashok Parameswar Did

India Reminds World of Pakistan’s 1971 Crimes

The reminder of Pakistan’s atrocities in Bangladesh came as the Dakha regime led by Mohammad Yunus responded to Islamabad’s overtures….reports Asian Lite News India has reminded the world of Pakistan’s campaign of

OCTOBER 7: Stop the Violence Now, Says Guterres

Guterres recalled that “the attackers brutally killed more than 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals….reports Asian Lite News UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an immediate halt to the violence in Gaza, Israel, and
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Jordan Puts Palestine on Agenda

Jordan is trying to put Palestinian issue on top of

Jordan Welcomes UNESCO resolution On Old Jerusalem

Jordan has welcomed a resolution adopted by UNESCO on old