(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 15 January 2002 letter to King Abdullah Ibn Hussein, CPJ protested the recent arrest of Fahd al-Rimawi, editor of the weekly newspaper “Al-Majd”. On 13 January, according to press reports and CPJ sources, a State Security Court prosecutor in Amman summoned al-Rimawi and accused him of publishing “false information,” an offense […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 15 January 2002 letter to King Abdullah Ibn Hussein, CPJ protested the recent arrest of Fahd al-Rimawi, editor of the weekly newspaper “Al-Majd”.
On 13 January, according to press reports and CPJ sources, a State Security Court prosecutor in Amman summoned al-Rimawi and accused him of publishing “false information,” an offense under Jordan’s Penal Code. He was subsequently ordered detained for fifteen days for questioning.
The arrest resulted from several “Al-Majd” articles that criticized the government of Prime Minister Ali Aboul Ragheb. One article quoted local sources who claimed, correctly as it turned out, that the government would soon be replaced.
Al-Rimawi is being held in Amman’s Juwaydeh Prison. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence and a stiff fine under new Penal Code provisions.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the king:
– stating that the arrest of al-Rimawi is a grave threat to press freedom in Jordan
– noting that journalists should never be deprived of their liberty for carrying out their professional work
– further noting that such actions violate basic international norms for freedom of expression and can only inhibit the free circulation of news and opinions
– recalling that he has stated on more than one occasion that the “sky is the limit” for press freedom in Jordan
– urging him to ensure that al-Rimawi is released immediately
Appeals To
His Majesty King Abdullah Ibn Hussein
C/o His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Marwan Muasher
3504 International Drive, NW
Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Washington, D.C. 20008
U.S.A.
Fax: +202 966 3110
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
