Former Al Ghad columnist facing charges of undermining regime

AMMAN — The State Security Court has decided to detain former Al Ghad columnist Jihad Muheisen over a post he published on Facebook, sources said Monday. 

He was arrested at Queen Alia International Airport on Sunday upon his arrival from Lebanon. 

The sources said Muheisen, who is detained in Balqa prison, is facing charges of undermining the regime and lèse majesté. 

Al Ghad terminated his contract last month after he published the Facebook post, in which he said he will become a Shiite and criticised the democratic process in Jordan. 

The Political and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, where Muheisen worked as an adviser, also terminated his contract. 

“No one is above the law in Jordan. If he violates the law, he should be punished,” a media sector insider told The Jordan Times on Monday. 

“We are only against trying civilians in military courts. Jordan is a state of law and anyone who violates the law will face legal measures and we trust the judiciary,” said the source, who preferred not to be named. 

After losing his jobs, Muheisen headed to Lebanon, the source said.