Jordanian authorities arrested activist Yousef Al-Khalayleh late on Friday night/Saturday while he was returning home after visiting his brother at Al-Madina Medical Hospital. His arrest was reportedly linked to a case involving “cybercrime charges.”
The arrest took place despite Al-Khalayleh’s fragile health condition following recent open-heart surgery, which leaves him in urgent need of delicate medical care and a stable environment away from psychological stress.
Medical reports indicate that after undergoing surgery to clear blocked arteries, Al-Khalayleh still suffers from severe heart muscle weakness. Experts have warned that psychological stress and sudden shocks are among the most dangerous factors that could trigger a deterioration in his condition or cause life-threatening complications. His continued detention therefore poses a direct threat to his life.
The arrest has sparked serious concerns in Jordan over respect for the constitutional right to life and physical integrity, as well as the state’s international obligations. Questions have also been raised about the timing and manner of the arrest—carried out at midnight in an abrupt way—which are seen as violations of the fundamental guarantees of humane treatment that authorities are bound to uphold.
From a legal standpoint, any defendant has the right to defend themselves in the framework of a fair trial without being subjected to measures that endanger their safety or life. In Al-Khalayleh’s case, the first requirement of the rule of law is to ensure his medical needs are met, and to guarantee that he has access to appropriate treatment and specialized care.
The continued detention of a person in such a critical health condition, with full awareness of the associated risks, not only raises suspicions of a breach of humanitarian standards but also amounts to a direct violation of Jordan’s legal obligations to protect the right to life of individuals under its authority.
