Court acquits man in sexual assault case involving extramarital affair

A Jordanian court has acquitted a man in his 40s who was accused by his mistress of sexual assault on three occasions, following a complaint filed by his wife alleging the mistress had ruined their marriage.

In a public session, the Grand Criminal Court found the defendant not guilty of the charge of sexual assault under Article 296/1 of the Penal Code, ruling that his actions did not constitute a crime and did not warrant punishment.

Regarding the misdemeanor charge of issuing threats, the court dismissed the case under the General Amnesty Law No. 5 of 2024, ordering the immediate release of the defendant unless he was detained or convicted for another reason.

The court established that the defendant and the 35-year-old complainant had been involved in a romantic relationship for three years prior to the complaint, communicating via social media and engaging in consensual sexual activities. The last such encounter took place approximately two years before the complaint was filed.

In 2024, the defendant’s wife filed a complaint with the Family Protection Department against the complainant for allegedly disrupting their marital relationship. The day after, the complainant lodged her complaint against the husband, accusing him of sexual assault.