Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Wednesday pardoned the kingdom’s first female lawmaker, who was convicted last month of harming the government's reputation by publicly accusing the prime minister of financial wrongdoing.
Abdullah's royal decree said former legislator Toujan Faisal was free under a "special pardon" — a term that means a convict is vindicated of the punishment, but not of the crime. The order came a day after the Court of Cassation dismissed Faisal's appeal because, it said, she was convicted of "minor misdemeanors" and the court only concerned itself with serious crimes.
The king's decree, carried by the official Petra news agency, said the pardon followed a recommendation from the Cabinet and an appeal by Faisal's Circassian community.
Faisal was convicted of publishing false and exaggerated information abroad that harmed the reputation and damaged the dignity of the Jordanian government, contempt of judicial authorities and public administration, and mocking the Islamic faith by insulting a mosque preacher. She was sentenced to 1 years in prison.
Faisal's lawyer, Zayed al-Radaydeh, said his client was in the hospital but he declined to provide other details. (Albawaba.com)
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