Judicial Council charges 28 individuals with human trafficking in unauthorised Hajj case

AMMAN — The General Secretariat of the Judicial Council announced the preliminary investigation results conducted by the Public Prosecution regarding the case of Jordanians travelling to perform Hajj outside the official mission in 2024, which resulted in the death of 99 people, according to the latest figures issued by the Foreign Ministry on Sunday.

The Secretariat said on Tuesday that the Public Prosecution based on the investigation results has charged 28 defendants with human trafficking under the provisions of Article 9/C/1, 2, and 8 of the Anti-Human Trafficking Law and fraud under Article 417 of the Penal Code, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

It added that the Public Prosecution decided to detain 19 individuals, including a woman, and imposed a travel ban on 10 others. 

The Public Prosecution exercised its authority by activating the measures stipulated in Article 15 of the Anti-Human Trafficking Law, which includes closing the companies that played an important role in violating the law and facilitating unauthorised Hajj. 

It also issued a decision to seize the proceeds obtained through these illicit activities.

The statement highlighted that the specialised Public Prosecution will continue its investigative procedures by hearing testimonies from the victims, the relatives of the deceased, and relevant officials from the concerned authorities.

The investigation will also involve coordination with the Cybercrime Unit to monitor and analyse victim testimonies and videos circulating on social media platforms regarding the unauthorised Hajj.

The General Secretariat said that the preliminary investigations by the Public Prosecution revealed that some individuals including owners of private Hajj and Umrah companies transported many Jordanian citizens to Mecca during the Hajj season without the necessary permits.

These activities took place at the beginning of May 2024, a month before the official Hajj season.