Agence France-Presse reported Tuesday that a Jordanian-Palestinian critic is being charged for incitement and insulting the king through social media.
Security officials told AFP that Mudar Zahran, "is accused of inciting hatred against the regime, sectarian strife and insulting the king as well as security services. In his social media writings, Zahran has described Jordan's anti-riot police as the king's 'terrorist militia,' claiming that they attacked pro-reform protesters, targeting Jordanian demonstrators of Palestinian origin."
The officials elaborated saying that Zahran has ""incited Jordanians to revolt... march on the palace until Jordan is liberated."
Zahran, who currently resides in Britain, may face up to 15 years in jail with hard labor if he is convicted. He is being tried in front of a military state security court which means he will not be privy to a public jury or other usual rights associated with court proceedings for civilians. Many activists have been tried under similar court proceedings; such infringement on civilian trial rights has come under scrutiny of many international human rights organizations as a result.
Jordanian intelligence and other security apparatuses have played a major role in curbing Arab Spring-like protests in the Kingdom since early 2011. However, many residents in Jordan have taken to the streets to demand political and economic reform as well as an end to corruption over the past two years.
