State media reported citing Jordan's armed forces on Saturday that former Jordanian crown prince Hamzah bin Al-Hussein, also a half-brother of King Abdullah II, was told to halt actions undermining national security.
Hassan bin Zaid, a member of Jordan's royal family and envoy to Saudi Arabia, and King Abdullah's long-time confidant Basem Ibrahim Awadallah were arrested on Saturday, the state news agency Petra reported, citing a security source.
The two senior palace officials and the unnamed “others” were reportedly arrested for security reasons after a “close security follow-up.”
Yousef Huneiti, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, was quoted as saying that King Abdullah's half-brother was asked to cease “movements and activities that are used to target” the security and stability of Jordan.
Military units were reportedly seen outside Prince Hamzah's palace in Amman on late Saturday. Footage circulating online allegedly shows heavy police presence in Jordan's capital.
Apart from members of the royal family, the alleged plot also involved security officials and tribal leaders. Media reports described it as “elaborate” and allegedly having regional players involved.
A Jordanian palace advisor told the Post that more arrests could follow.
“I had a visit from the chief of general staff of the Jordanian armed forces this morning in which he informed me that I was not allowed to go out, to communicate with people or to meet with them because in the meetings…
