Jordan says it foiled ‘malicious plot’ that threatened national security

4 April 2021, 15:54

Prince Hamza Bin Al-Hussein, right, and Prince Hashem Bin Al-Hussein, brothers King Abdullah II of Jordan
Jordan. Picture: PA

Prince Hamzah, a half brother of King Abdullah II, is under house arrest in a rare public clash between top members of the long-ruling family.

A senior Jordanian official has accused the country’s former crown prince of conspiring with foreign elements in a “malicious plot” that threatened national security.

Foreign minister Ayman Safadi told reporters that the plot had been foiled at the “zero hour”.

“Then it was clear they moved from design and planning into action,” Mr Safadi said. He says some 14 to 16 people are under arrest.

Mr Safadi spoke a day after Prince Hamzah, a half brother of King Abdullah II, was placed under house arrest, in a rare public clash between top members of the long-ruling family.

Prince Hamza and his wife Princess Noor
Prince Hamza and his wife Princess Noor (AP/Hussein Malla, File)

The unprecedented incident has raised concerns about stability in a country seen as a key Western ally in a volatile region and drawn an outpouring of support for Abdullah.

In a videotaped statement from house arrest, Hamzah accused the country’s leadership of corruption and incompetence.

Mr Safadi, who also holds the title of deputy prime minister, said intelligence agents had been observing the plotters for some time and raised their concerns with the king.

He said Hamzah was asked to “stop all these activities and movements that threaten Jordan and its stability,” but he refused.

Mr Safadi did not identify the foreign countries allegedly involved in the plot. But he said a long-time senior official who has business ties in several Gulf Arab states, Bassem Awadallah, was involved and had been planning on leaving the country.

The US, Saudi Arabia and Arab countries across the Middle East issued strong statements in favour of Abdullah.

The swift show of support underscored Jordan’s strategic importance as an island of relative stability in the turbulent region. While the harsh criticism from a popular member of the ruling family could lend support to growing complaints about the kingdom’s poor governance, the king’s tough reaction also illustrated the limits to which he will accept public dissent.

Early on Sunday, Hamzah’s mother, Queen Noor, expressed sympathy for “innocent victims”.

Prince Hamza with his mother Queen Noor
Prince Hamza with his mother Queen Noor (AP/Hussein Malla, File)

“Praying that truth and justice will prevail for all the innocent victims of this wicked slander. God bless and keep them safe,” she tweeted.

In his video, Hamzah said he was visited early on Saturday by the kingdom’s military chief and told he could not go out, communicate with people or meet with them. He said his phone and internet service were cut and his satellite internet, used to record the message, was being cut off as well.

He said he was told he was being punished for taking part in meetings in which the king had been criticised, though he said he was not accused of joining in the criticism.

Hamzah then lashed out at the “ruling system” without mentioning the king by name, saying it had decided “that its personal interests, that its financial interests, that its corruption is more important than the lives and dignity and futures of the 10 million people that live here”.

He said: “I’m not part of any conspiracy or nefarious organisation or foreign-backed group, as is always the claim here for anyone who speaks out. There are members of this family who still love this country, who care for (its people) and will put them above all else.”

“Apparently, that is a crime worthy of isolation, threats and now being cut off,” he added.

Hamzah is a former crown prince who was stripped of that title by Abdullah in 2004, five years after becoming king following the death of their father, the late King Hussein.

Hamzah is a popular figure in Jordan, widely seen as pious and modest. It is extremely rare for senior members of the ruling family to clash so publicly.

By Press Association

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

French officers were pictured trying to prevent migrants attempting the Channel crossing.

French police use knives to puncture migrant boat in Dunkirk to prevent Channel crossing

Palestinian children who fled with their parents from their houses in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein el-Hilweh, gather in the backyard of an UNRWA school in Sidon, Lebanon in September 2023

UN investigators probe 14 UNRWA aid staff Israel accused over Hamas attack

Emma Stone has said she would like to be called by her real name.

‘It would be so nice’: Emma Stone reveals she wants to be called by her real name

Joe Biden

Joe Biden says he is ‘happy to debate’ Donald Trump

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington

US announces new Patriot missiles for Ukraine as part of £4.8bn aid package

Former US president Donald Trump appears at Manhattan Criminal Court before his trial in New York

Donald Trump’s lawyers seek to discredit evidence of prosecution’s first witness

A British man has been attacked by a shark in Tobago.

British man left fighting for life after being attacked by shark just metres from the shore at Tobago beach

Turtle Beach, Tobago

British tourist in hospital after shark attack as Tobago closes several beaches

Pope Francis

Pope to bring call for ethical AI to G7 summit in June

Tony Estanguet, president of Paris 2024, right, receives the Olympic flame from Spyros Capralos, head of Greece’s Olympic Committee, during the flame handover ceremony at Panathenaic stadium, where th

Paris organisers receive Olympic flame at Greek venue of first modern Games

Sundar Pichai

Tech CEOs Pichai, Altman, Nadella and others join US government AI safety board

Andrew Tate at the Bucharest Tribunal in February

Romanian court orders trial can begin in case of influencer Andrew Tate

Parisians walk by the Utopie bakery in Paris

Paris crowns new king of the crusty baguette in annual bread-baking prize

Andrew Tate  and his brother Tristan will stand trial over rape & human trafficking charges in Romania

Romanian court rules trial can start for Andrew Tate on charges of human trafficking and rape

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin

US set to provide six billion dollars in long-term military aid for Ukraine

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to a fire at an industrial estate on Staffa Road in Leyton, east London

British man recruited as 'Russian spy' charged with masterminding arson attack on Ukrainian-linked businesses in London