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FAMILY STATEMENT
May 10, 2007
Amman-Jordan
Statement by the Family of Freedom Fighter Dr. Ahmad Oweidi Al-Abbadi
Ahmad was detained on Wednesday, May 2, 2007, and has been charged, among other alleged accusations, with slander, undermining the country’s reputation, and violating laws governing e-mail practice. He was also charged with insulting the current Minister of Interior, Mr. Eid Al-Fayez. All of this disturbing incident stems from a letter he sent to the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate, Senator Harry Reid (published by and posted to the Jordan National Movement’s official website: <http://www.jordannationalmovement.org.>
The circumstances and place of his detention are appalling. He is being now detained in the same hanger with prisoners who are accused or jailed for major crimes; including murder and rape. He is being denied the opportunity for the simplest fair treatment. His wife, Ms. Jamileh Al-Abbadi, has been kept waiting for several hours before she was even allowed to see him, through special glass barrier and by using a phone link. His brother, Abdallah, a prominent physician and scientist in the field of cancer and blood diseases, was also denied to see him on Tuesday, May 8, 2007, after he was kept waiting for more than 2 hours in the scorching heat of 100F degrees. In addition, his lawyer was denied access on Wednesday, May 9, 2007, after more than 3 hours of wrangling with the prison authorities.
This travesty of justice culminated in denying Ahmad the necessary medical attention he needs despite his suffering from hypertension and gout. He has also been denied bail several times, despite of the triviality of the accusation. His sons, Bisher and Nomai, both studying in Europe, have not been able to concentrate on their studies and lives, since their father’s detention has been affecting them mentally, emotionally and psychologically.
It is clear that Ahmad is being prosecuted for what he believes in and what he stands for: peace in the Middle East, human rights, justice and government accountability. These are major noble causes of freedom of expression, democratic reforms, fighting corruption and transparency in governance.
Over the last 18 years, the Jordanian authorities have fabricated several accusations against him, and subsequently he was taken to court and threatened by the appointed government on a regular basis. The regime further forced the Jordanian Parliament to revoke his parliamentary immunity so they can manipulate the legal proceedings. In all these accounts, Ahmad was found innocent and was acquitted. The last one was an accusation of which he was found innocent and received final acquittal on the same day he was detained, May 2, 2007.
Furthermore, Ahmad has constantly been subjected to the regime propaganda and security machines that aim at undermining his credibility and professional career. The intent is to assassinate his character as a politician and human right activist who stands for these noble principles: genuine democracy, human rights and freedom.
The regime and its propagandists have been portraying him as extreme right wing, extreme nationalist, controversial, unstable, traitor, egoist, ignorant…etc. The goal is dilute the message and discredit the messenger. In addition, he has received threats of assassination, body harm, and imprisonment if he does not change his course.
He and his family have lived with this agony for the last 18 years. On numerous occasions, the family asked him to abandon his work so his family can live in peace. He declined. He told us that he is dreaming of a country whose government embraces freedom, liberty, accountability and transparency.
His love to Jordan and its people is unmatched. He believes that Jordan and its people deserve to live in a system where people can exercise their human right without being afraid of reprisal and retaliation.
We sincerely believe that our people once are given the opportunity to know the truth about Ahmed and his struggle will support him as many of our people do around the world.
Throughout his professional career, Ahmad has made tremendous contribution to human literature. He has published 57 books and written more than 100 episode of drama TV. He was in the middle of writing the drama which represents the counterpart of Romeo and Juliet in Arabic about Laila Al-Akhialieh when he was detained. Further, he served the people of Jordan for 8 years (two terms) as an active Member of Parliament.
We wish to remind those who ordered his detention that the big principles and beliefs of great men can never be detained. Finally, we appeal to all of those who believe in human rights, democracy and freedom of expression to help us get him back home as a free man. Until this happens, we will support him realize his dreams and aspirations
