Jordan Attempts to Silence Entire Kingdom Over Intrigue Roiling Royal Family
In an unprecedented attempt to control the messaging on a simmering feud embroiling the Jordanian monarchy, Amman’s prosecutor general on Tuesday banned the publication of any information about the royal rift.
“In order to keep the security services’ investigation into Prince Hamzah and the others secret, [it is decided] to ban the publication of anything related to this inquiry at this stage,” prosecutor Hassan al-Abdallat said on state television. “The ban on publication involves all audiovisual media and social networks, as well as the publication of all images or video clips relating to this subject on pain of legal action.”
The kingdom-wide gag order came within hours after a secret recording of Hamzah and Gen. Yousef Huneiti, the military chief of staff, was released. In the recording, Huneiti can be heard accusing the former crown prince of conspiring with those critical of the ruling class, who he says “started talking more than they should.”