Jordan 'coup Plot' Suspects Plead Not Guilty As Trial Opens: Lawyer
Umer Jamshaid Published June 21, 2021 | 07:08 PM
Two officials accused of helping Jordan's Prince Hamzah try to overthrow his half-brother King Abdullah II have pleaded not guilty, one of their lawyers said Monday as the trial began
Amman, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jun, 2021 ) :Two officials accused of helping Jordan's Prince Hamzah try to overthrow his half-brother King Abdullah II have pleaded not guilty, one of their lawyers said Monday as the trial began.
Former royal court chief Bassem Awadallah, who also holds Saudi nationality, and a former special envoy to Riyadh, Sharif Hassan bin Zaid, are charged with attempting to "destabilise the kingdom's security", according to court documents.
The trial began behind closed doors at the State Security Court and will continue Tuesday, an official said.
According to state television, after the charges were read, the court heard two out of a total of six witnesses -- four military personnel and two civilians.
Awadallah's lawyer Mohammad Afif said the defendants both pleaded not guilty.
A video shared on social media showed Awadallah arriving at the court wearing a plain blue prison uniform and a mask, his hands cuffed behind his back, escorted by an anti-terror officer.
Hamzah, who is accused of attempting to overthrow the king and of seeking help from Saudi Arabia to do so, is not facing trial.
Hamzah, 41, "was determined to satisfy his personal ambition to rule, in violation of the constitution and Hashemite (Jordanian ruling family) custom," according to an indictment released on June 13.
"To succeed, he sought to exploit the concerns and problems of the population and to arouse sedition and frustration in society," it added.
After the unprecedented palace crisis in April, Hamzah pledged allegiance to Abdullah.
Authorities had on April 4 announced the arrest of 18 people allegedly involved in a plot to "undermine Jordan's security and stability".
Sixteen were later released after senior figures and tribal chiefs pleaded with the king to pardon them.
The remaining defendants, Awadallah and Bin Zaid, could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty, their lawyers said.
Abdullah had named Hamzah heir to the throne in 1999 at the request of their father, King Hussein.
But Hamzah was later sidelined in favour of Abdullah's eldest son, also named Hussein.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 23 April 2024
Islam enlightened world with its teachings about knowledge: Dr Jamileh
More Stories From World
-
UK Rwanda law sparks fear among migrants hoping to cross Channel
1 hour ago -
China issues highest-level rainstorm warning after deadly floods
1 hour ago -
UK's Sunak announces raised defence spending, new Ukraine aid
1 hour ago -
Baby delivered from dying mother's womb in Gaza 'miracle'
2 hours ago -
Russia rejects US journalist Gershkovich's detention appeal
2 hours ago -
Prosecutors accuse Trump of 'willful' violations of gag order
3 hours ago
-
French artist JR downsizes at Venice Biennale with Orient Express
4 hours ago -
Umrah & Ziarah Forum 2024: A gateway to enhance pilgrimage services in Holy land
4 hours ago -
16 dead, 28 missing in migrant boat capsize off Djibouti: UN
4 hours ago -
16 dead, 28 missing in migrant boat capsize off Djibouti: UN
5 hours ago -
How UK's biggest water supplier sank into crisis
5 hours ago -
EU lawmakers greenlight new rules to rein in national spending
5 hours ago