Ex-Crown Prince Hamzah: Jordan orders media gag

Jordan’s top prosecutor, on Tuesday, banned the publication of any information or material relating to a case in which former Crown Prince Hamzah is involved in a plot to destabilise the kingdom.
The ban aims to preserve the secrecy of the investigations conducted by the security services, the prosecutor said in a statement, according to the official Petra news agency.

“The ban includes audio, visual media, social networking sites, and the publication and circulation of any pictures or videos related to this topic,” read the statement.
The government said it had foiled over the weekend a destabilising plot involving Prince Hamzah, King Abdullah’s half-brother.
Investigations showed there were movements by Hamzah and others that were targeting the kingdom’s stability and security, and that they were in contact with “foreign parties,” the authorities said on Sunday.
Several high-profile individuals have since been arrested.
The Jordanian army denied Hamzah was under house arrest, but that he was asked to refrain from activities that could be damaging to the kingdom’s stability.
In recorded videos, Hamzah said the army told him not to leave his house or communicate with anyone.
Two audio recordings by Hamzah have been circulating on social media since Saturday.
One is of a conversation between Hamzah and the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Yousef Ahmed al-Hunaiti.
These recordings have been praised by some Jordanians, who praised his defiant tone and condemnation of corruption in the country.
Hamzah, 41, is a popular figure in Jordan and his social gatherings with senior tribesmen are welcomed by many as a reflection of his closeness to the people.

Hamzah was Jordan’s crown prince between 1999 and 2004, when Abdullah removed him and appointed his own son, al-Hussein.
On Monday night, the royal court released a statement signed by Hamzah, in which he affirmed his loyalty to King Abdullah.
The statement came after mediation by the king’s and Hamzah’s uncle, Prince Hassan, in a bid to put an end to a rare public dispute within the Jordanian royal family.
However, it remains unclear how the case will proceed, after 16 to 18 people have been arrested, according to Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi.
Arab monarchies and governments expressed full support to Abdullah and his efforts to maintain stability in the kingdom.
On Tuesday, al-Safadi said he held “in-depth brotherly talks” with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan.
Faisal, who arrived in Jordan on Monday, carried a message from Saudi King Salman to Abdullah, asserting Riyadh’s support to Amman “in the face of all challenges.”