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AMMAN — Three young Jordanians reiterated their “not guilty” pleas to terrorism charges on Monday as a high-profile Al Qaeda terror plot trial came to a close.

In their final statements to the State Security Court on Monday, Jordanians Mohammad Khater, Fawzi Abdul Jabbar and Ahmad Abu Taha said they were innocent of charges of plotting to carry out a series of terror attacks on diplomatic missions and shopping centres in October 2012. 

The three men are among 11 Jordanians facing life in prison for their alleged involvement in a foiled Al Qaeda-linked plot to strike several targets across Amman to mark the anniversary of the November 11, 2005, triple hotel bombings.

The court, presided over by Judge Ahmad Tarawneh, set May 16 as the date for issuing the final verdict. 

The defendants are accused of having active ties with Al Qaeda in Iraq, now known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and of travelling to Syria to receive funding and training to target various sites in a series of suicide and “guerrilla” style attacks.

In the initial charge sheet, security officials said the 11 men had received explosives and rockets from Syria to carry out the alleged attacks.

Also on Monday, the court sentenced two Jordanian Islamists to five years in prison for allegedly attempting to recruit citizens to join armed groups in the Gaza Strip.

In a decision handed down by Tarawneh, the court sentenced Issam Al Akby and Mahmoud Masharfeh to five-year prison terms for “joining armed groups” and “recruiting for armed terrorist organisations” in violation of Article 148 of the Penal Code. 

A third defendant, Abdullah Jawabreh, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in absentia. 

AMMAN — Owners of illegal wells in west Amman’s Wadi Al Seer Municipality, who were pumping water from sealed wells, were released on Sunday, a government official said Monday.

Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) and security forces arrested the owners after they were caught pumping water from illegal wells that WAJ sealed in March, according to a source at the Ministry of Water and Irrigation.

“The owners were... referred to the district governor, who ordered that they be kept in custody for several days,” the source told The Jordan Times.

The offenders signed pledges that they would not repeat the violation and were released after paying a hefty bail, the source said.

The wells were drilled for pumping water and selling it to the public via tankers. They were connected through several 380-volt cables to power pumps and the perpetrators were diverting water from the wells to reservoirs before selling it to tankers, according to the ministry.

“The violators will remain under observation,” the source added.

The wells were sealed under an ongoing campaign, launched in August 2013, to end violations on water networks and close down all illegal wells.

“Drilling wells in Wadi Al Seer or any other part of the country is not allowed and the ministry will no longer tolerate it," the official underscored. 

"The public is required to cooperate to protect underground water from depletion and safeguard public health, as tankers sell water from undesignated sources, which could be polluted,” he added.

The Council of Ministers has endorsed several decisions and regulations to curb infringements on water resources and maximise penalties against offenders.

These include depriving owners of illegal wells of agricultural or any other governmental loans, and supplying electricity for wells only after clearance is obtained from WAJ, proving they are licensed.

The new regulations also prohibit the import of water pumps for wells unless the Ministry of Water and Irrigation grants permission and also tracks their destination.

In addition, the regulations stipulate that work permits of guest workers employed on farms with illegal wells will be revoked, among other new penalties.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday accepted the resignation of HRH Prince Raad from the presidency of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities (HCD).

In a letter to Prince Raad, the King praised his efforts in serving people with disabilities in Jordan during his presidency, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

His Majesty commended the prince for his dedication and his work to support people with disabilities within their local communities with the aim of enabling them to contribute to Jordan’s progress.

“As I express my gratitude to Your Highness for your great efforts and distinguished work, I accept your resignation, and I hereby decree that your son HH Prince Mired Bin Raad be appointed as president of the HCD to continue your fruitful journey and great humanitarian efforts to serve this precious segment of our beloved country’s sons and daughters.”

Prince Raad had earlier sent a letter to the King reiterating his loyalty and dedication to serving the Kingdom, according to Petra.

The prince said he was honoured when the King entrusted him with the presidency of the HCD, adding that “Allah guided me, and those with me, to be up to this responsibility thanks to your guidance.”

Prince Raad had been presiding over the HCD since its inception in 2007.

AMMAN — Two major groups within the Lower House are planning to join forces based on agreed-upon programmes and policies, a parliamentary source said on Monday.

On Tuesday, four representatives of the recently formed National Parliamentary Alliance — which includes the Watan (Homeland) and Islamic Centrist Party blocs — will meet with members of the Mubadara group to negotiate the formation of a larger alliance, MP Mustafa Hamarneh, Mubadara’s spokesperson, told The Jordan Times.

Mubadara, a House-based group aspiring to form a shadow government, is credited for being the first “bloc” that has suggested answers to the country’s woes in various fields, as it has officially released policy papers with plans to reform major sectors.

“This is the first time ever that such a large group of MPs [62] has come together under one programme away from personal motivations,” Hamarneh said, describing the move as a “transformation” in the Lower House.

The National Parliamentary Alliance, which includes 35 deputies, has agreed in principle to Mubadara’s programme and policies, the MP added.

The Mubadara group, founded by Hamarneh and led by veteran lawmaker Saad Hayel Srour, has engaged in talks with the government to find solutions to deep-rooted problems, including those related to human rights and education, among others, and gained ground in some respects.

Most recently, the 27-member group, which has developed into a heavyweight lobby in the 150-member House, reached an agreement with the government to grant civil rights to the children of Jordanian women married to foreigners.

The National Parliamentary Alliance is also another force in the Lower House that is led by Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh.

AMMAN — Jordan on Monday summoned Israeli Ambassador in Amman Daniel Nevo to protest the recent Israeli violations against Al Haram Al Sharif compound in Jerusalem. 

The Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli measures, holding the Israeli side accountable for storming Al Aqsa Mosque, the key landmark in the holy shrine, and attacking worshippers and employees from the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Jerusalem, according to a statement carried out by the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

The government said the Israeli acts constituted a “flagrant” infringement of international law and the peace treaty Jordan signed with Israel 20 years ago.

Under the peace agreement, Jordan is in charge of the Islamic shrines in the Old City, while Palestinians recognise His Majesty King Abdullah as custodian of Jerusalem’s Muslim and Christian sites.

The Israeli diplomat said he would convey the message to the Israeli government on the same day, Petra reported.      

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday held talks with Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop that focused on bilateral ties and the latest regional developments.

During the meeting, the King voiced Jordan’s keenness on enhancing its relations with Australia in all fields, especially in trade and tourism, underlying in this regard that, by virtue of its distinctive geographical location, the Kingdom can serve as a gateway to the entire region, according to a Royal Court statement.

The King also underlined Australia’s pivotal role in serving peace efforts in the Middle East, citing its non-permanent membership in the Security Council, the statement said. 

The King also stressed the need for a comprehensive political solution to the Syrian crisis that safeguards its territorial unity and ends the suffering of its people, outlining the burdens Jordan shoulders as a result of hosting more Syrian refugees, the statement said.

On peace efforts, the Monarch stressed the international community’s continuous support to the US-sponsored Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations on the basis of the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative that can ultimately lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

For her part, Bishop voiced her country’s keenness on bolstering its ties with Jordan in all fields, expressing Australia’s willingness to assist Jordan in its humanitarian efforts to the Syrian refugees. 

She also commended Jordan’s role in achieving peace and stability in the region.

The meeting was attended by Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, Director of the King’s Office Imad Fakhoury as well as Bishop’s accompanying delegation.

At a meeting with the press, the Australian minister said international community “must support countries like Jordan” that have been “so generous in hosting such a vast number of Syrian refugees”. 

The press conference, held at the UNHCR offices in Amman, followed Bishop’s tour of the refugees registration centre.

The Australian official said Jordan and Australia are both non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and “we have worked closely together to support resolutions on humanitarian crises, calling for an international response”.

Bishop noted that Australia has to date contributed $110 million, in addition to $2 million to assist in the dismantling of Syria’s chemical weapons.

She added that during her visit she will also announce the Australian government’s full support for the UN drafted “No Lost Generation” strategy, and will provide $20 million to support this strategy in Jordan and Lebanon. The initiative aims at supporting children of refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. 

She explained that half of the 2.7 million Syrian refugees are children and 70 per cent of them do not attend school. 

Also on Monday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour discussed with Bishop bilateral relations and latest regional developments, especially peace efforts and the Syrian crisis.

During the meeting, Ensour presented a briefing on the challenges and burdens on Jordan as a result of receiving refugees from several neighbouring countries, adding that the Kingdom has succeeded in presenting a model of reform in a turbulent region. 

Following a meeting between Judeh and Bishop, the two sides underlined their commitment to continue coordinating stands and consulting vis-à-vis regional and international issues, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

In a joint press statement, Judeh said his meeting with the Australian official focused on prospects for further bilateral cooperation, in addition to developments in the ongoing negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis. 

Talks also covered the situation in Syria and its impact on Jordan. 

AMMAN — Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Monday said he is optimistic about the release of Jordan’s Ambassador to Libya Fawaz Aitan, who was kidnapped in Tripoli last week.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh assured lawmakers that the government is working relentlessly to free the diplomat.

“I am fully assured. That is all… for now,” Ensour said in response to a query by several deputies and senators during a joint session of Parliament. He did not give details.

Also on Monday, Judeh briefed Deputy Hazem Qashou, who chairs the Lower House Committee on Foreign Affairs, on the efforts exerted to secure Aitan’s release, highlighting intensive contacts which he said are under way with Libyan officials and influential parties there. 

Judeh accompanied Qashou on a visit to the command room set up at his ministry to follow up on the case. He said the task force assigned with the mission has been working around-the-clock, in coordination with all concerned parties since the kidnapping of the Jordanian diplomat. 

The minister reiterated the same remarks in a statement to the press.

“We are working around-the-clock… and hopefully our efforts will bear fruit and the ambassador will return to his family and homeland,” Judeh said. 

Aitan was abducted by an anonymous armed group on Tuesday and kidnappers reportedly demanded the release of a Libyan who is serving a life prison sentence in Jordan in exchange for the ambassador’s release.

AMMAN — The Jordan Press Association will announce at 11am on Sunday the results of a report gauging press freedoms in Jordan in 2013.

The report, to be released for the second consecutive year, takes 23 indicators into account, including killings, arrests, kidnappings, torture, trials and threats against media personnel in 2013.

It also highlights how press freedoms were affected by related government procedures, including the implementation of the Press and Publications Law.

It also highlights issues facing print media.

AMMAN — Twenty-seven political parties have agreed on the need to draft a new elections law that does not follow the one-person, one-vote formula and gives a greater role to political parties, Oraib Rantawi, director of Al Quds Centre for Political Studies, said on Saturday.

Rantawi said the parties also agreed on the need to amend the Political Parties Law by revisiting the definition of a political party to align it with the internationally accepted one.

AMMAN — The planning committee in the Social Development Ministry on Saturday decided to open a comprehensive unit for fighting vagrancy at it’s headquarters  and transfer the affiliation of the Hashmi and Shafa Badran childcare centres for the care of children from the Social Defence Directorate to the Family and Childhood Directorate.

The anti-vagrancy unit will include several departments, one of which will be tasked with monitoring the streets day and night in search for beggars.

A second department will receive citizens’ complaints, file the cases and follow up with the relevant parties.

A third department will be responsible for providing beggars with social care.