By Khetam Malkawi

AMMAN - Prominent writer and columnist Khalid Mahadin on Monday was cleared of charges of slandering the Lower House of Parliament, his lawyer Saleh Armouti told The Jordan Times.

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

In the column, the 68-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”.

“Amman Magistrates Court Judge Ahmad Freihat found no case against Mahadin, since the Constitution protects the rights of any Jordanian to criticise," Armouti told The Jordan Times yesterday, adding that criticism is allowed if it serves the public interest according to articles 15 and 17 of the Constitution.

Article 15 of the Constitution says: “The State shall guarantee freedom of opinion. Every Jordanian shall be free to express his opinion by speech, in writing, or by means of photographic representation and other forms of expression, provided that such does not violate the law.”

Article 17 stipulates that "Jordanians have the right to address public authorities via their representatives on issues of personal nature or public affairs under the conditions indicated by the law.”

“This is a win for all Jordanian journalists,” Mahadin said, commenting on the ruling.

“I am proud because I was not prosecuted for corruption, or for spying, but for saying a word of truth,” the writer told The Jordan Times.

Deputy Tayseer Shdeifat, the second deputy of the House speaker, said that the court was fair and made the right decision.

“We respect the decision, and this gives a push forward to freedom of speech in Jordan,” Shdeifat noted, adding: “However, I hope for this to be a fresh start between the Lower House and media and that both will have a relationship that is based on respect.”

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