Bassem Awadallah, Sharif Hassan found guilty in 'sedition case'

AMMAN — The State Security Court on Monday found Bassem Awadallah and Sharif Hassan guilty on all charges in the so-called “sedition case".اضافة اعلان

Awadallah and Hassan were both sentenced to 15 years in prison with labor.

Mohammad Afifi, Awadallah’s lawyer, told Jordan News that they will go to the Court of Cassation with the verdict. He added that “The trial was relatively short because the court rejected the defense’s objections as insufficient and refused to see witnesses on the basis that they were of no value to the court.”

The two men were charged with being complicit in incitement against the state, in violation of Article 149/1 of the law, as well as being complicit in carrying out acts that would endanger society and security and sow sedition, in violation of articles two and seven of the 2006 Anti-Terrorism Law and its amendments.

The session began at around 10am with the court announcing their verdict around 10:52am to a tent full of media watching the trial's live stream outside the courthouse.

The first trial in the case took place on June 21, where both defendants pleaded “not guilty” to terrorism-related charges, Awadallah’s lawyer, Mohammad Afifi, told Jordan News at the time.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates throughout the day.



Leaked videos obtained by Jordan News show Bassem Awadallah and Sharif Hassan walking into the State Security Court to stand trial on Monday, July 12, 2021. 

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