Jordanian intelligence proved Saudi Arabia is behind the coup attempt
An intelligence website revealed Jordanian intelligence investigations into what is known in the media as the Sedition Case and the attempted coup against King Abdullah last April.
Intelligence Online provided details of the recent trial of the suspect Basem Awadallah, the former head of the royal court, and Sharif Hassan bin Zaid.
Intelligence Online confirmed that the Jordanian General Intelligence, headed by Major General Ahmed Hosni, whom King Abdullah II trusts greatly, participated in the trial that began last week against those accused of plotting to carry out a coup.
The website said that Jordanian intelligence is convinced that the Saudi regime was behind the coup of Awad Allah, who holds dual Saudi and Jordanian nationalities.
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On June 13, the State Security Court charged Awadallah and Sharif Hassan bin Zaid with “inciting opposition to the political regime in the Kingdom” and “carrying out actions that endanger the safety and security of society and cause discord.”
They face up to twenty years in prison if convicted, according to their lawyers.
Intelligence Online indicated that the General Intelligence focused on the trial of the Chief of the Royal Court and former Finance Minister Bassem Awadallah, as well as the Sharif Hassan bin Zaid businessman. He belongs to the royal family in Jordan.
An exception was made for Prince Hamzah, the half-brother of Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who was not included in the trial and was not charged.
He said that although charges were not brought directly against Prince Hamzah, to limit the damages to the royal family, the two defendants in court said:
“The prince tried to attract disaffected figures in the Jordanian tribes and invited them to his house, in an attempt to create a base of support loyal to him.”
Awadallah, Jordan’s special envoy to Saudi Arabia, Sherif Hassan bin Zaid, and former Crown Prince Hamzah bin Hussein, were arrested in April.
The website indicated that the General Intelligence’s role was not limited to investigating the case and detained the two men at its headquarters near Amman.
The trial opened behind closed doors on June 21 at the State Security Court in Amman, which replaced the military court in 1991.
The website reported that the intelligence presented at the trial letters intercepted Awad Alla and Bin Zaid.
On Thursday, the State Security Court in Jordan rejected the invitation of the list of witnesses submitted to the court by the defence team.
The defence requested that 27 people, including Prince Hamzah bin Al Hussein, appear to testify before the court, which was refused.
Prince Hamzah, King Abdullah’s half-brother, is at the centre of the allegations but avoided punishment in April after declaring his allegiance to the king.
