* Full text can be read as follows;
(English Version)
(Japanese Version)
(Arabic Version)
May, 2021
4. The case was over
*
See ‘Genealogy of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’
The day after the incident, Deputy Prime
Minister briefed the case at a press conference.[1]
According to his explanation, the military intelligence ordered the prince to
be under house arrest on suspicion of rebellion. They showed the obvious evidence
about the communication between Prince Hamza and a foreign institution.
Princess Basmah, wife of Prince Hamza, asked a foreign senior official to
escape from Jordan just after she noticed the raid by military intelligence. Deputy
prime minister has not disclosed the name of foreign country. Authorities
arrested 18 people for national treason, including two key figures, a former
finance and planning minister and a person who is closely related to the royal
family.[2]
The military authorities advised King Abdullah
II to arrest Prince Hamza. But the King said that this was a problem within the
Hashemite family. He asked the help of his uncle Prince Hassan. Prince Hassan was once forced to hand over
the position of crown prince to Abdullah II by his brother King Hussein. It was
a ironic fate for Hassan. However, Prince Hassan is now a guardian of the Hashemite
family and an integral part of the security of the small Kingdom of Jordan.
Prince Hassan called his nephew Prince Hamza to his residence and persuaded him
to apologize the King.[3]
In the end, Prince Hamza issued a
statement signed by himself, explaining that he had no intention to revolt
against his half-brother King Abdullah II and was just wheedled by his
surroundings.[4] On
April 7, the King broadcasted on TV that Prince Hamza was part of the royal
family and was under his patronage.[5]
In addition, the King and Prince Hamza jointly attended the ceremony to
commemorate the 100th anniversary of independence of Jordan. Photos have been
released to media.[6] Authorities
subsequently announced that they closed the file and released 16 of the 18 suspects
excluding two key figures[7].
Later, in early May, two royal advisers retired and a new director general of
royal court was appointed. This meant that the case was over.[8]
A lot of mysteries were left behind.
5. What's behind the case?
The biggest mystery is that which foreign
country is involved in. Deputy prime minister said Princess Basmah had
consulted with a foreign agency to flee the country. It is sure that the Jordanian
authorities are aware of the truth.
An unreleased person having close relation
with the royal family might be the answer. His name is Sharif Hassan bin Zaid. He
was almost unknown in the country. Subsequent reports indicate that he has been
in Saudi Arabia and has dual citizenship of Saudi Arabia and Jordan. It is said
that he was the Saudi representative of King Abdullah II.[9]
These facts tell that Saudi Arabia is involved in this incident. However, it is
unclear whether the case is directly linked to King Salman or Crown Prince
Muhammad of Saudi Arabia. The foreign institutions and their names will keep in
secret forever.
Jordan is the neighbor of Saudi Arabia and
Israel. The political relationship between three countries is very sensitive.
Israel has recently regained diplomatic relations with the UAE and Bahrain, and
Saudi Arabia is seeking peace with Israel. The Palestinian issue seems to have
been put aside. Jordan has many Palestinian refugees and King Abdullah II has a
Palestinian queen. Both the country and its ruler are in a delicate position.
In the economic scene, the current Jordanian
economy is very critical. Jordan's public debt swelled to $ 37.4 billion last
year, accounting for 76% of GDP. The unemployment rate is as high as 25% and
55% for young people.[10]
Jordan which lacks natural resources such as oil and gas, has no choice but to emigrate
to work in rich Gulf countries or rely on financial assistance from these
countries.
If the house turmoil became deteriorate, Hashemite
Kingdom of Jordan will be in jeopardy. To defend the name of the Hashemite
family as descendants of the Prophet Muhammad is the only way to survive.
End
By Areha Kazuya
E-mail: Arehakazuya1@gmail.com
