The Jordanian authorities continue to detain the political and environmental activist, Dr. Sufian Al-Tal, 86, for the fourth consecutive day, despite his old age.
The Public Prosecutor of the State Security Court raised politically motivated charges against Al-Tal and other activists including instigating strife and undermining the state.
A security force raided Al-Tal’s house in Amman, while he was preparing for a television show to address internal affairs in Jordan.
The security forces arrested activists Abdel Khalifa Tawahiya and Omar Abu Rasa while being present at Al-Tal’s house, in addition to the photojournalist, Mohammed Aboud, who was assaulted by the security personnel.
The detainees were transferred to Marka prison in Amman pending investigations.
Al-Tal family stated that a security force raided the family’s house in the Abu Nuseir area, and took their father to an unknown destination, without giving them any details of the reason or place of arrest.
Jordan has moved to become a “repressive” country in the CIVICUS freedoms report after it was “obstructive” last year. In 2020, the Freedom House Index also showed Jordan’s decline in civil liberties and political rights, thus becoming a “not free” country, after it was classified as a partly free country before.
