Anger in Jordan after a state court today (Wednesday) sentenced a deposed MP Osama al-Ajarma to 12 years in prison on a charge of threatening the life of King Abdullah.
The affair began in May 2021. Al-Ajarma was accused of insulting his colleagues in parliament and later refused to apologize.
Following this, a parliamentary committee voted in favor of freezing his membership in parliament for a year.
The loud quarrel broke out on May 24 between al-Ajrama and former Jordanian parliamentary speaker Abd al-Manam, following a three-day power outage in various districts in the kingdom. A demonstration in support of Palestinians by Jordanian tribes in Amman following Operation Wall Guard, which ended a few days earlier.
But the story did not end here.
The recalcitrant politician was later arrested by Jordanian authorities for trial after he opposed the decision to oust him and organized demonstrations in which he made blatant statements against the Jordanian monarchy, King Abdullah and symbols of the regime.
According to the tribunal, al-Ajarma even explicitly threatened Abdullah's life and led clashes with the security forces in the kingdom.
At some of the gatherings al-Ajarma even spoke alongside tribal leaders wielding a long sword.
Following the conviction today, it was reported that members of the al-Ajarma tribe in the Na'ur area south of the capital Amman were considered their stronghold, began rioting in the streets and throwing stones at a billboard with a picture of King Abdullah.
The politician's supporters even set fire to cars and tires on the roads.
Apart from al-Ajarma, the court imposed seven years and eight years in prison on other defendants in the case.
The tribunal convicted al-Ajrama of committing acts that could endanger the peace and security of society in a civil war.
In addition, he was accused of preparing flammable substances with intent to use them illegally, as well as drug use.
According to the indictment, the politician joined the other defendants in a joint action to incite the Jordanian street against the government, its institutions and security apparatus and called for non-compliance with the law.
It was also stated that the politician prepared Molotov cocktails for the purpose of carrying out terrorist acts in the Na'ur area and blowing up vehicles belonging to the security forces.
The affair has rocked the Jordanian street in recent months as the court conducts its meetings while gathering dozens of al-Ajrama tribesmen and supporters outside the court.
Now, after months of detention, the recalcitrant politician will be sent to prison for more than a decade.
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