Palestinian-Jordanian journalist Hiba Abu Taha is serving a one-year prison sentence in Jordan for an article critical of the government.
On June 11, 2024 the Soloh Court in Amman sentenced Abu Taha to one year in prison after convicting her of violating the Cybercrimes Law for “inciting discord and strife among members of society” and “targeting community peace and inciting violence,” according to regional press freedom group SKeyes, media reports, and the journalist’s lawyer Rami Odeh, who spoke to CPJ.
Abu Taha’s conviction came after a complaint by the Media Commission, the government agency responsible for enforcing press laws and regulations, over Abu Taha’s April 2024 article in the Lebanese Annasher website titled “Partners in genocide… Jordanian capital involved in genocide in the Gaza strip.” The article alleges that Jordan allows regional companies to ship goods to Israel via a land bridge.
In February Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh called reports of the existence of a land bridge to Israel a “fabrication.”
Abu Taha, who has been in Juwaida prison since her arrest on May 14, appealed the ruling but the appeal was denied. On May 28, her bail request was denied, her lawyer said.
In a statement to CPJ, Jordan’s media commissioner Bashir al Momani said Abu Taha’s article contained “serious insults against Jordanian state institutions, incitement to the state’s positions, and stirring up discord among the components of the people.”
Al Momani added that “the actions taken by the journalist constitute a violation of Jordanian laws, which necessitated her prosecution.”
On October 13, 2024, the North Amman Court ruled to impose 5,000 dinar (US$7,000) fine against Abu Taha, according to her attorney, alleging that she once again violated the Cybercrimes Law. He said that the fine was in relation to her two stories published in Annasher website about “Jordan’s roles in supporting Israel.”
She has no health problems in custody, her lawyer said.
CPJ’s email to Jordan’s Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Information for comment on her case did not receive a response.