Brotherhood member released after serving six-month prison term

AMMAN — The State Security Court (SSC) on Monday released Mohammad Saeed Baker, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood shura council, who served a six-month prison sentence.  

Baker was arrested in August 2014 for comments made during a pro-Gaza rally deemed to “undermine the state”, but was later charged with lèse-majesté and sentenced to six months in prison.

The news of his release was posted on the official Facebook page of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The 40-year-old leader was twice denied bail.

During his detention, members of the movement staged several rallies demanding that the authorities release him and free Deputy Overall Leader Zaki Bani Rsheid, who is currently facing trial before the SSC.

Bani Rsheid was arrested in September last year for comments posted on Facebook critical of the United Arab Emirates. 

He is charged with “harming Jordan’s relations with a foreign state”, in violation of the Anti-Terrorism Law.

Islamists accuse the government of restricting freedom of expression in the Kingdom, claiming that Bani Rsheid and Baker only expressed their political views and were not trying to impact Jordan’s security.

The government has reiterated that Bani Rsheid’s remarks were provocative and could have jeopardised Jordan’s ties with the Gulf country, where tens of thousands of Jordanians work.