A former confidant of Jordan’s King Abdullah faced a secret trial on Monday charged with sedition, in one of the most sensitive cases since the monarch took power 22 years ago.
Authorities accuse Bassem Awadallah and Sharif Hassan bin Zaid, a distant cousin of the king, of co-ordinating with Prince Hamzah Bin Hussein to destabilise the kingdom.
Prince Hamzah is the king's half brother.
Authorities did not give details, but the charges refer to a rumoured attempted coup d'etat in April.
Journalists were denied entry to Mr Awadallah's hearing on sedition charges, presided over by a military judge. The court complex is near a military airport in the Marka district on the outskirts of Amman.
Mr Awadallah's lawyer said both defendants pleaded not guilty.
He said defence lawyers argued that the court did not have the jurisdiction to look into the case, but the judge rejected their argument.
State television said, in the first session, authorities would call six witnesses against Mr Awadallah, 57, who was the architect of Jordan's economic liberalisation in the 1990s.
TV broadcastss showed Mr Awadallah wearing a blue prison suit and being led into the court by security personnel in combat gear.
Until his arrest in April, Mr Awadallah was one of few figures in Jordan with star power on the regional scene and internationally.
He fell out with the king in a public episode that has shaken the country and led to rumours of a coup attempt.
The case revealed some of the complex dynamics that underpin the political system in Jordan, particularly ties between the ruler and tribes who have traditionally received wide-ranging state benefits.
The royal rift first emerged when King Abdullah removed Prince Hamzah, from his role as crown prince in 2004.
Authorities accuse Mr Awadallah and Mr bin Zaid of co-ordinating with Prince Hamzah to destabilise the kingdom. They did not give details.
The prince is not on trial. He has not been seen in public since he signed a document shortly after the incident affirming his allegiance to the king.
State media said the trial will be secret and no one is being allowed into the court except the two defendants and their legal representatives.
Another 16 men whom the authorities said were associates of Prince Hamzah were also arrested in April. They were released three weeks later and no charges were brought against them.
They were all members of tribes, which underpin the security forces and are largely employed in the government.
In April Jordan's army chief, Maj Gen Yousef Huneiti was heard telling Prince Hamzah in a leaked tape to cease contact with the tribes.
The prince, witnesses said, met tribes in Al Salt after seven coronavirus patients died at the city's government hospital in March because of an oxygen shortage.
The deaths sparked protests across Jordan demanding the resignation of the government.
The authorities cracked down on the protests, arresting hundreds of people.
According to a court document cited by official media, Mr Awadallah sent a message to Sharif Hasan after the Al Salt incident, saying: "It is the time of H.”
Mr Afif said the court’s session was adjourned until Tuesday.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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The five pillars of Islam
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
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The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Who is Ramon Tribulietx?
Born in Spain, Tribulietx took sole charge of Auckland in 2010 and has gone on to lead the club to 14 trophies, including seven successive Oceania Champions League crowns. Has been tipped for the vacant New Zealand national team job following Anthony Hudson's resignation last month. Had previously been considered for the role.
Company profile
Name: GiftBag.ae
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 4
Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
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More Expo 2020 Dubai pavilions:
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Company%20Profile
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MATCH INFO
Iceland 0 England 1 (Sterling pen 90 1)
Man of the match Kari Arnason (Iceland)
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The specs: 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price, base / as tested Dh97,600
Engine 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight v-twin engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 78hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque 145Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.0L / 100km (estimate)
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
