Jordan: MP accused of trafficking in Palestinian territories

The prosecutor of Jordan's State Security Court on Tuesday (May 16th) indicted a Jordanian MP for smuggling weapons into the occupied West Bank, his lawyer said.

Imad al-Adwane was arrested on April 22 by Israel at the crossing of the Allenby Bridge (called King Hussein on the Jordanian side, editor's note), between Jordan and the West Bank, according to Israel's Shin Bet internal security service. Israeli security forces had discovered 12 rifles and 194 pistols in his car, the source said. The MP was handed over to Jordan on 7 May.

See alsoCeasefire between Israel and Gaza after five days of fighting

«

Imad al-Adwane appeared today (Tuesday) before the State Security Court and was questioned by his prosecutor following the confiscation of firearms and gold in his possession by the Israeli authorities," his lawyer, Ali al-Muba'idin, told AFP.

'Arms exports'

Two charges were brought against him: "exporting arms with the intention of using them illegally" and "committing acts likely to disturb public order and threaten the security" of the country, he added. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.

Following his surrender by Israel to Jordan, Imad al-Adwane's parliamentary immunity was waived by decision of the State Security Court. The 35-year-old lawyer, a member of the Jordanian parliament's Palestine Committee, had used his diplomatic passport 12 times since February 2022 for various smuggling actions, including weapons, according to the Shin Beth. The member would have received large sums of money in return. The destination of the smuggling was not specified, but several Palestinians suspected of involvement in the trafficking were arrested, according to the same source. Israel and Jordan have been linked since 1994 by a peace treaty.