On Wednesday, April 30, the Jordanian State Security Court handed down heavy sentences to four individuals accused of planning attacks that could threaten national security. The convicted individuals were sentenced to 20 years in prison with hard labor, along with fines, after being found guilty of illegal possession of explosives, weapons, and ammunition, as well as attempting to manufacture rockets.
According to an official statement, the accused were charged with actions that could “undermine public order and the security of society,” under Jordan’s anti-terrorism laws.
Suspected Ties to the Muslim Brotherhood
The case, involving a total of 16 suspects, is related to a large terrorist plot that was foiled by Jordanian intelligence services. On April 15, the General Intelligence Directorate announced the thwarting of plans to manufacture explosives and weapons, leading to the arrest of those involved.
While the court did not explicitly mention any direct affiliation of the convicted individuals with the Muslim Brotherhood, Jordanian television aired confessions from three suspects who claimed to belong to the Islamist movement. However, the Brotherhood responded by clarifying that the actions in question were the result of individual initiatives.
Official Ban on Brotherhood Activities
Following the case, the Jordanian government officially banned all activities of the Muslim Brotherhood in the country. On April 23, Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya announced the closure of its offices and the confiscation of its assets.
It’s worth noting that Jordan’s judiciary had previously dissolved the Brotherhood in 2020. However, authorities had largely ignored certain activities until now. Meanwhile, the Islamic Action Front, the political wing of the Brotherhood and the country’s main opposition party, retains its legal status. The party currently holds 31 of the 138 seats in Jordan’s Parliament.
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