Jordanian King orders release of detained journalist

Jordanian King orders release of detained journalist

2011-06-01 23:32:43 GMT+7 (ICT)

AMMAN, JORDAN (BNO NEWS) -- Jordanian King Abdullah II on Wednesday ordered the release of Jordanian journalist Ala'a Fazza', who was arrested earlier today, Ammon News reported.

The king ordered the journalist's release after meeting with editors-in-chief of daily newspapers. Fazza' was apprehended by order of the State Security Court for 14 days pending investigation.

He was taken into custody after publishing on an electronic news website he runs a report revealing how convicted businessman Khalid Shahin left the country three months ago. Despite the fact that Fazza' has over 10 cases in civil courts against him related to press and publication, a special military court abruptly interfered to detain the journalist, in contradiction with King Abdullah II's repeated directives against the arrest and detention of journalists.

According to Ammon News, the case against Fazza' was transferred from a civil court to the special military court by orders of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit, who has warned that "anyone who accuses the government or officials of corruption without providing evidence to be referred to the Attorney General."

Meanwhile, dozens of journalists staged a protest in front of the Jordan Press Association building in Amman against the arrests of journalists. They denounced attempts to restrict freedom of the press and means taken by Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit's government to "terrorize" journalists.

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