New and Updated Developments Re:Dr. Al-Abbadi’s Arrest (May 22, 2007):

The Herald Tribune Published this Article: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/05/22/africa/ME-GEN-Jordan-Detention-Protest.php 

Dr. Al-Abbadi’s wife can now see her husband twice a week, and the lawyers can now see him on specific days.

Dr. Al-Abbadi’s defense team insisting that “there is absolutely no law in Jordan that makes it legal for Dr. Al-Abbadi to remain in jail after the first initial sentence of 15 days. They added, “It is a decision from the top [King Abdullah II], not based on law….[the government] has not charged him with anything, since there is nothing to accuse him of.”

New and Updated Developments Re: Dr. Al-Abbadi’s Arrest (May 21, 2007): Dr. Ahmed Oweidi Al-Abbadi has been jailed for two more weeks!

Human Rights Watch’s representative in the Middle East visited Dr. Ahmed Oweidi Al-Abbadi in Jweideh Correctional and Rehabilitation Center. Dr. Al-Abbadi, former Member of Parliament, peace and human rights activist, and an author of 57 books, was imprisoned by King Abdullah II for speeches that have questioned King Abdullah’s personal wealth (now stands at $11 billion), destructive local policies, constant refusal to pay tax, tacit support of corruption and human rights abuses.

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Published this Piece in its Arab Reform Bulletin (May 2007, Volume 5, Issue 4): http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=print&id=19163#jordan

Reporters Without Borders (RWB) condemned the arrest of Dr. Ahmed Oweidi Al-Abbadi: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=22118

Saber Al-Rawashdah, Amman’s Public Prosecutor, under constant pressure by King Abdullah II, turned down the 7th bail request by Dr. Ahmad Oweidi Al-Abbadi’s attorneys to release Dr. Al-Abbadi from jail. Dr. Al-Abbadi was jailed for 15 days on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. Since this date, Dr. Al-Abbadi has not been allowed to appear before a judge or released on bail, which is against and inconsistent with the current laws of the state. On several occasions, his family members and immediate relatives have been denied to visit him in jail.

This is another evidence that how King Abdullah II plays with and disrespects the current national and international laws that protect the basic rights of human kind. Due to these despicable actions of King Abdullah II and his corrupt military and civilian judges, the Jordan National Movement (JNM) now consider Dr. Al-Abbadi being held as a hostage by the terrorist King Abdullah II and his criminal associates in Amman.

New and Updated Developments (May 15, 2007) Regarding Dr. Al-Abbadi’s Arrest:

JNM, Amman--Jordan: Despite several requests by Dr. Al-Abbadi’s defense team (Mr. Omar Al-Alwan, Mr. Abdul Karim Al-Shridah and Mr. Hussein Abu Gneim) to release Dr. Al-Abbadi on bail, King Abdullah II and his corrupt judges have turned this request down. This decision is a clear violation of the current constitution. Also, this despicable action on the part of the king and these bribed judges makes it obvious that the need for the judiciary to be impartial is diminishing. The constitution granted magistrates autonomy and independence. They have honorable duties to investigate with the most scrupulous observance of the law. A true democratic state cannot live without the deep and genuine confidence of its citizens in the justice system. However, when these judges reel and submit to pressure from the corrupt king and his associates in the intelligence community, then we have a major, major problem!

In Jordan, judges are going through a tough life. Judge Ali Al-Nasan, former Chief of the Court of Cassation, the 2nd ranked court in the justice system, confirmed in June 1997 that “widespread interference by the executive authority (the king) in the judge’s top work has been in place since 1988. Going against [the late King Hussein] wishes will lead to several forms of obstruction and threats such as: bribery, demotion, job security, appointment to a remote post, etc.” In Jordan, Judges are appointed by the king and likewise are removed by him. Jordan’s former Chief Justice Fahed Abu Atham-retired on January 3, 1997 in protest and other judges like Ahmmad al-Momani have confirmed Al-Nasan’s statements.

According to a report submitted by Mohammad Samed Al-Raqad, President of the Judicial Council, to King Abdullah II, on Sunday, May 13, 2007, “the judicial system [in Jordan] lacks administrative and financial independence.” In other words, the separation of the executive, legislative and judicial powers in Jordan does not exist. These branches are intertwined and subject to direct interference by the intelligence community, secret police and influential members of the royal family and fat cats in the business community.

Other Developments

NM was told by reliable sources in Amman that Saber Al-Rawashdah, Amman’s Public Prosecutor, who has been intentionally delaying a perfectly legal request to release Dr. Al-Abbadi on bail, used to work for Eid Al-Fayez, Minister of Interior (the one who decided to detain Dr. Al-Abbadi with blessing from King Abdullah II), when Al-Fayez was the Chairman of Board of Directors of the Iraqi-Jordanian Transportation Company.The same sources informed JNM that the Royal Court is contacting now Dr. Al-Abbadi’s defense team, urging these attorneys to quit defending Dr. Al-Abbadi.

New and Updated Developments (May 13, 2007) Regarding Dr. Al-Abbadi’s Arrest:

Amman Governor, Saad Al-Wadi Al-Manasir, turned down a request by Dr. Al-Abbadi’s supporters and defense team to organize a peaceful demonstration before the Prime Minister’s Office in Amman. A clear indication of the vulnerability, weaknesses and intolerance of King Abdullah’s regime towards human rights and freedom of expression in the country. When people and decision makers in the West ask: Why people of the Middle East hate us? This is one of the reasons: When people of the Middle East witness endless and unwise support from the West towards corrupt and thuggish regimes in their own countries, such as the one in Jordan, they turn their anger towards these supportive states!Judge Qassim Al-Momani, who refused to release Dr. Al-Abbadi on bail, received a promotion from the corrupt and unelected government of King Abdullah II.

Reliable sources in Amman told JNM that Judge Al-Momani's promotion to the highest step in the government was ordered by King Abdullah II and his wife Queen Rania. This is another evidence on how King Abdullah II and the royal family reward judges in Jordan for their ludicrous and corrupt cooperation to muzzle and oppress civil society and human rights activists.

Letter to Dr. Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State, From the Family of Dr. Al-Abbadi

May 14, 2007

Amman-Jordan

To: Dr. Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State

From: The Family of Freedom Fighter Dr. Ahmad Oweidi Al-Abbadi

Re.: The Detention of Dr. Ahmad Oweidi Al-Abbadi by King Abdullah II of Jordan

Dear Dr. Rice:

We are writing you this letter to inform you that Ahmad was detained on Wednesday, May 2, 2007, by the illustrious King Abdullah II’s security forces and unelected government, and has been charged, among other alleged accusations, with slander, undermining the country’s reputation, and violating laws governing e-mail exchanges and practices. He was also charged with insulting the current Minister of Interior, Mr. Eid Al-Fayez. All of this disturbing incident stems from a letter he sent to the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate, Senator Harry Reid (published by and posted to the Jordan National Movement’s official website: http://www.jordannationalmovement.org/.)

The circumstances and place of his detention are appalling. He is being now detained in the same hanger with prisoners who are accused or jailed for major crimes; including murder and rape. He is being denied the opportunity for the simplest fair treatment. His wife, Ms. Jamileh Al-Abbadi, has been kept waiting for several hours before she was even allowed to see him, through special glass barrier and by using a phone link. His brother, Abdallah, a prominent physician and scientist in the field of cancer and blood diseases, was also denied to see him on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, after he was kept waiting for more than 2 hours in the scorching heat of 100F degrees. In addition, his lawyer was denied access on Wednesday, May 9, 2007, after more than 3 hours of wrangling with the prison authorities.

This travesty of justice culminated in denying Ahmad the necessary medical attention he needs despite his suffering from hypertension and gout. He has also been denied bail several times, despite of the triviality of the accusation. His sons, Bisher and Nomai, both studying in Europe, have not been able to concentrate on their studies and lives, since their father’s detention has been affecting them mentally, emotionally and psychologically.

It is clear that Ahmad is being prosecuted for what he believes in and what he stands for: peace in the Middle East, human rights, justice and government accountability. These are major noble causes of freedom of expression, democratic reforms, fighting corruption and transparency in governance.

Over the last 18 years, the Jordanian authorities have fabricated several accusations against him, and subsequently he was taken to court and threatened by the appointed government on a regular basis. The regime further forced the Jordanian Parliament to revoke his parliamentary immunity so they can manipulate the legal proceedings. In all these accounts, Ahmad was found innocent and was acquitted. The last one was an accusation of which he was found innocent and received final acquittal on the same day he was detained, May 2, 2007.

Furthermore, Ahmad has constantly been subjected to the regime propaganda and security machines that aim at undermining his credibility and professional career. The intent is to assassinate his character as an active peace maker, politician and human right activist who stands for these noble principles: genuine democracy, human rights and freedom.

The regime and its propagandists have been portraying him as extreme right wing, extreme nationalist, controversial, unstable, traitor, egoist, ignorant…etc. The goal is dilute the message and discredit the messenger.  In addition, he has received threats of assassination, body harm, and imprisonment if he does not change his course.

He and his family have lived with this agony for the last 18 years. On numerous occasions, the family asked him to abandon his work so his family can live in peace. He declined. He told us that he is dreaming of a country whose government embraces freedom, liberty, accountability and transparency.

His love to Jordan and its people is unmatched. He believes that Jordan and its people deserve to live in a system where people can exercise their human right without being afraid of reprisal and retaliatioWe sincerely believe that our people once are given the opportunity to know the truth about Ahmed and his struggle will support him as many of our people do around the world.

Throughout his professional career, Ahmad has made tremendous contribution to human literature. He has published 57 books and written more than 100 episode of drama TV. He was in the middle of writing the drama which represents the counterpart of Romeo and Juliet in Arabic about Laila Al-Akhialieh when he was detained. Further, he served the people of Jordan for 8 years (two terms) as an active Member of Parliament.

We wish to remind those who ordered his detention that the big principles and beliefs of great men can never be detained. Finally, we appeal to all of those who believe in human rights, democracy and freedom of expression to help us get him back home as a free man.  Until this happens, we will support him, realize his dreams and aspirations.

Sincerely, 

Family of Freedom Fighter

Dr. Ahmad Oweidi Al-Abbad:

Ms. Jamilah Oweidi Al Abbadi (Dr. Ahmad Oweidi Al-Abbadi’s Wife in Amman, Jordan): 962777770477  
Mr. Bisher Ahmad Oweidi Al-Abbadi (Son, Student in Spain): 34671402217  
Mr. Nomayy Ahmad Oweidi Al-Abbadi (Son, Student in Germany): 4917620123389

11. Attended and Contributed to Countless Seminars, Workshops,

     Conferences and Parliamentary Conferences (local, regional and

     worldwide)   

12. Peace and Human Rights Activist

   4. Jordanian Tribes: Land, Humans and History, Two Volumes 

   5. Jordanian Tribes: Fieldwork and Analysis
   6. Occasions Among Jordanian Tribes, Two Editions

   7. Judicial Evidence Among Bedouins
   8. Major Crimes Among Jordanian Tribes
   9. Minor Crimes Among Jordanian Tribes
 10. My Travels in Jordan, Two Volumes.        
 11. Judicial Process Among Jordanian Tribes
 11. Bedouin Justice
 12. Jordan in Scripts of Islamic Travelers, To Volumes
 13.  Parliamentary Scuffles, Three Volumes

Published the Following Books in English:

1.Bedouin Justice in Jordan: 1921-1982   

2.Political History of the Jordanian Tribes Up to 2005, Two Volumes
 
Publications: Translations from English to Arabic:

 
  1. Note on the Bedouins and the Wahhabys: 1810-1817, Two Volumes

  2. A Crackle of Thorns by Aleck Kekebride
  3. The Story of Arab Legion by John Glubb, Two Editions

  4. The Survey of Eastern Palestine

  5. Life and Ventures: Beyond Jordan by Robinson Lez
  6. Jordan Valley and Petra: American Mission
  7. The Land of Moab Tristram, Two Editions
  8. With the Bedouins by Gray Hill
  9. Across Jordan by Schumakher
10. The land of Gilead by Lawrence Oliphant

Printer-friendly copy of this bio:  http://www.jordannationalmovement.com/chairmanletter.htm

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Jordan: Free Jailed Dissident

Political Prosecution Is Assault on Free Speech

(New York, September 28, 2007) – Jordan’s military prosecutor should halt the politically motivated prosecution of government critic Ahmad al-Oweidi al-‘Abbadi, Human Rights Watch said today. Jordan is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Friday, September 28.  

“The only reason al-‘Abbadi languishes in jail waiting for his court verdict is that he’s a government opponent exercising his right to free speech,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, director of Human Rights Watch’s Middle East division.  
 
Al-‘Abbadi, a former parliamentarian and head of the Jordan National Movement, which describes itself as a pro-democracy organization, has been held without bail since he was arrested on May 2, 2007 on charges of belonging to an unlawful group and “disseminating ... news he knows to be false or exaggerated which undermine the psychology of the [Islamic] nation.” This followed the publication of an open letter to US Senator Harry Reid, alleging corruption on the part of Minister of Interior Eid al-Fayez, on the movement’s website.  
 
Human Rights Watch received a copy of the letter, which was one of several similar statements or documents published since October 2006 by the Jordan National Movement which have attracted threats. For example, following a March 3, 2007 statement in which the Movement urged US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to cancel King Abdullah’s address to the joint houses of Congress, the Jordanian authorities allegedly made threats to al-‘Abbadi and his family, including harassment by the intelligence department, threats to cut off the university education of al-‘Abbadi’s children abroad, and a warning to al-‘Abbadi to stop his activities in Jordan. Under Jordanian law, since the Jordan National Movement is not specifically licensed, it is therefore illegal.  
 
Al-‘Abbadi’s trial in the military-dominated State Security Court is set to conclude by October 4. So far in the trial, the only offense al-‘Abbadi has been alleged to have committed is the publication of the letter, which does not espouse violence or make any threats to public security or safety.  
 
Jordan’s prime minister may refer any case for prosecution at the State Security Court, whose judges he appoints based on recommendations by the minister of justice and the chief of staff of the armed forces. The State Security Court has denied al-‘Abbadi bail without providing a reason. He is charged for misdemeanors, which under Jordanian law do not require the defendant’s pre-trial detention.  
 
Under Jordanian law, requests for bail are the only way to challenge the lawfulness of one’s detention, a fundamental right of all detainees guaranteed by Article 9.4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Jordan is a party.  
 
“In Jordan there is a nefarious mix of outdated laws criminalizing free speech and prosecutors willing to use them again and again to silence regime critics,” Whitson said.

Printer-Freindly English Version: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/09/28/jordan16964.htm

===============================================

Borzou Daragahi, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer, wrote this story re: Dr. Al-Abbadi’s arrest:

Jordan scholar imprisoned for e-mails

By Borzou Daragahi
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

August 14, 2007

AMMAN, JORDAN — For an hour Monday morning, Bisher Oweidi held back. The 23-year-old college student saw his imprisoned father, Ahmad, for the first time in months.

The 62-year-old scholar has been held on political charges inside Jordan's Jwaideh prison since early May. Considerably thinner, he appeared tired by interrogations and worn by the routines of prison life.

"I held back my tears," Bisher, who is studying for a business degree in Spain, said in an interview after the visit. "I didn't want him to see me cry. After I got out of the prison, I started to cry."

Ahmad Oweidi, author of dozens of books about Jordan and its tribal roots as well as a controversial political activist, never took up arms or organized rallies. His group, the Jordanian National Movement, met once a month in living rooms, talking politics over coffee.

As leader of the small party, he mostly wrote e-mails decrying alleged corruption and human rights violations in Jordan to officials and newspapers.

But in Jordan, amid a crackdown on political dissent throughout pro-American Arab countries, Oweidi became an enemy of the state. The former lawmaker has been charged with heading an illegal organization, harming the government's reputation and violating the country's e-mail laws.

"He's not a troublemaker," said his wife, Jamila Abbadi. "He likes democracy. He likes to talk. He expresses his ideas."

Oweidi is an unlikely dissident. A member of a tribe associated with Jordan's security forces, he attained the rank of police colonel as a young man. He also studied in Britain and Egypt and wrote poetry and articles for small newspapers. He served in parliament from 1989 to 1993 and from 1997 to 2003.

"While he was in parliament, he talked about corruption," his wife said. "When his enemies came to power, they began to settle scores with him."

His family says he has been denied university posts because of his politics. He earns most of his money writing screenplays for soap operas. He was once arrested and released on sexual-assault charges he says were trumped up to discredit him.

Despite Washington's close ties with the Jordanian regime, Oweidi has maintained cordial relations with the U.S. Embassy in Amman, his family says.

"He's not calling for an Islamic state," Bisher said. "He's not against the monarchy. He's against the corruption of the royal court."

Oweidi's defenders say an April letter he wrote to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) sparked his arrest. He alleged corruption involving the Jordanian Ministry of Interior and the court of King Abdullah II. He posted the note on the website of his political party.

Oweidi was arrested shortly after 2 p.m. on May 3, according to his family. He has been subjected to interrogation by security forces and hauled before courts, including a military tribunal. He pleaded not guilty at a court hearing last week.

Jordan's parliament this year passed a strict media law that imposes severe penalties for slander and defamation. New York-based Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders, the French free speech advocacy group, have denounced Oweidi's arrest and called for his release.

"This is the first time that someone has been arrested in Jordan because of what they posted online," Reporters Without Borders said in a statement. "Using imprisonment to silence a government opponent and to cover up embarrassing scandals is unacceptable."

Bisher and his younger brother have put up a website, www.freeoweidi.com, to drum up support for their father's release.

Ahmad Oweidi, a staunch Arab nationalist, defends the role of Jordan's dominant Sunni tribes, sometimes alienating the country's majority Palestinians as well as other opposition groups. But many have now come to his defense.

"We disagree with him severely, but we don't think he should be put in jail," said Zaki Bani Arshid, head of the Islamic Action Front Party, Jordan's leading Islamic political group.

Oweidi and his wife have five children, all of them in college. During Monday's prison visit, Oweidi handed his family hundreds of pages of screenplays to sell for his family's needs.

One daughter, 20-year-old Zahra, was scheduled to marry last month, but put off the wedding.

"For now, our lives have stopped," Bisher said.

daragahi@latimes.com

Daragahi, based in Beirut, is currently on assignment in Amman.

====================================================

Also, Reporters Without Borders published this piece: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=22118