Three Brotherhood supporters handed suspended sentences for ‘Egypt criticism’

AMMAN — The State Security Court (SSC) on Wednesday sentenced three Muslim Brotherhood supporters to six-month suspended prison terms for criticising Egyptian authorities.

The court convicted Hammam Qafeisheh, Ayman Bahrawi and Diyaa Al Din Shalabi of “harming Jordan’s relations with a foreign state” by making statements and distributing materials denouncing the Egyptian military in September 2013

In the same verdict, issued by a panel headed by civilian judge Ahmad Al Qatarneh, the court cleared Shalabi of charges of lèse-majesté.

The three men had pleaded not guilty in a session in July.

The three men had actively protested against the Egyptian military leadership and its decision to oust Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, taking part in several Brotherhood-organised demonstrations in and around Amman in August and September 2013.

According to the charge sheet, the three men distributed fliers denouncing Egypt and “slandering” its leadership, issuing posters bearing four fingers in solidarity with the Rabiaa Square protests in Cairo in where dozens of Brotherhood supporters were killed after Egyptian security personnel dispersed an overnight sit-in using force. 

The sentencing comes as 15 Brotherhood members, including deputy overall leader Zaki Bani Rsheid, are facing trial at the SSC for comments deemed “harmful to Jordan’s relations with a foreign state”.