Quds News News Jordanian Court Sentences Journalist to…

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Jordanian Court Sentences Journalist to One Year in Prison and Fines Over $7,000 for Report on Jordan-Israel Ties

October 15, 2024

Amman (Quds News Network)- A Jordanian court has sentenced investigative journalist Hiba Abu Taha to a year in prison and imposed a fine of 5,000 Jordanian dinars (approximately $7,000) following her publication of a report about Jordanian companies involved in relations with Israel. The court’s decision, based on the country’s cybercrime law, has raised concerns over press freedom in Jordan.

Abu Taha was found guilty of violating the Jordanian Cybercrime Law for publishing a report that allegedly “incited public discord and spread false information”. The report, which referenced connections between Jordanian and Israeli companies in the aftermath of the Israeli genocide in Gaza, led to accusations of promoting division and threatening social peace.

Attorney Rami Awadallah, representing Abu Taha, confirmed that the ruling is final and cannot be appealed. Additionally, the court refused a request to replace her prison sentence with community service. Abu Taha is currently serving her sentence following an earlier conviction related to another report.

The ruling has sparked backlash from local and international rights groups. The Jordanian Center for the Protection and Freedom of Journalists (CPFJ) expressed “deep concern” over the sentence, calling for the abolition of prison sentences for freedom of expression cases in line with international human rights standards. The CPFJ also called for a review of the 2023 Cybercrime Law, which it argues imposes severe penalties and limits journalistic freedoms.

According to the CPFJ, this is the first time a journalist in Jordan has been sentenced to prison for a year, marking a significant blow to press freedom in the country. The organization also highlighted the growing use of Articles 15 and 17 of the Cybercrime Law, which impose heavy fines and prison sentences for the dissemination of false information and content that incites division or violence.

International organizations, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have condemned the verdict, calling it a serious threat to press freedom in Jordan. RSF Middle East director Jonathan Dagher described the sentence as “a dangerous precedent,” adding that the law’s vague provisions are being used to target journalists who report on sensitive issues, particularly related to Israel.

Abu Taha’s case follows a series of similar incidents involving Jordanian journalists, raising fears of increasing censorship and repression of media workers. Since late 2023, journalists covering protests related to genocide in Gaza have been particularly targeted under the same law.

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