Islamic Action Front MPs face potential arrests in Jordan over foreign funding probe: source
Events surrounding Jordan's Islamic Action Front (IAF) party have dramatically intensified, with Jordanian officials revealing to Roya on Monday a high probability of arrests for party leaders and members of parliament.
Read more: Jordanian MP released on bail in Muslim Brotherhood case
These potential arrests are linked to evidence of legal violations, most notably "foreign funding" and alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood group, which is outlawed in Jordan.
This development follows a series of security and legal measures. Key among these was security agencies thwarting an attempt to smuggle shredded documents from an undeclared IAF office in Aqaba, and the Independent Election Commission (IEC) issuing a warning and a 60-day deadline to the party to rectify its legal status.
“Secret Aqaba office”
The story began to unfold last Saturday when security agencies in Aqaba foiled an attempt by several individuals, including a member of parliament, to smuggle documents from a location suspected of being used by the banned Muslim Brotherhood.
The Aqaba attorney general had ordered a search of the site, which was under security surveillance. Individuals were intercepted as they exited, carrying documents hidden in black bags that had been shredded inside the premises.
During interrogations, two individuals, who identified themselves as members of the banned group, stated they owned the apartment and had leased it to the lawmaker "for the group's activities."
In initial confessions, the lawmaker claimed the headquarters was leased for the IAF party, to which he belongs. However, official records at the IEC showed that the party had not declared this location among its official offices in Aqaba.
Security forces discovered confiscated items, documents, flags, emblems, clothing, and headbands inside the headquarters that are illegal and associated with the banned group.
The Aqaba attorney general subsequently referred the full case and all involved parties to the Public Prosecution in Amman, which is handling other cases related to the group.
IEC Takes Action: Warning Issued
Following the incident, the Independent Election Commission formally took action. On Sunday, IEC Chief Commissioner Musa Maaytah announced that the commission had delivered a formal letter to the IAF party regarding its clear violation of the Parties Law.
Maaytah explained that the party violated Article 16 of the law by using an office not registered with the IEC and by failing to display the party's name on the premises.
The IEC granted the party a 60-day deadline to rectify these violations.
What's Next? Potential Arrests and Foreign Funding File
According to the sources, the evidence against the lawmaker or lawmakers from the party is not limited to the undeclared office.
It extends to issues concerning "foreign funding" and alleged organizational ties to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group in Jordan.
