By Khetam Malkawi

AMMAN - Prominent writer and columnist Khalid Mahadin on Monday plead not guilty to charges of slandering the Lower House of Parliament.

He had been indicted after publishing an article, titled "For God's Sake, Abdullah", published on Khaberni.com in February.

In the column, the 63-year-old writer and national award winner urged His Majesty King Abdullah to dissolve Parliament, criticising the performance of the Lower House and what he called "unlawful privileges given to deputies".

As the trial began on Monday, North Amman Court Judge Ziyad Muhareb refused a request by Mahadin’s lawyer Saleh Armouti, former Jordan Bar Association president, to dismiss the case.

According to Armouti, the case was filed against Mahadin by House Secretary General Fayez Shawabkeh, who is an administrative employee and not a deputy.

“There should have been a decision by deputies themselves to file a lawsuit against Mahadin, as they are the party involved in the case, not the secretary general who does not represent them,” Armouti told The Jordan Times, adding that this contradicts the Penal Code.

He cited Article 364, which stipulates that libel and slander cases can only be accepted if they are filed by the very individuals who claim to be subject of libel and slander.

Meanwhile, the judge requested Shawabkeh for testimony on April 21, according to Armouti.

In a related development, a sit-in was organised in front of Parliament with participants holding banners and placards calling for enhancing freedom of speech in the country.

The protesters also delivered a letter to House Speaker Abdul Hadi Majali requesting him to withdraw the case against the writer.

The Press and Publications Law does not have provisions that allow detaining journalists for charges related to practising their profession, but other laws, including the Penal Code, sanction jail penalties in cases of slander and libel.