Jordan MP who sold guns to Palestinians faces trial

A high society politician, whose family is believed to have played a major role in building Jordan, post independence, is accused of using his privileges to make fast cash selling a car full of guns to Palestinians.

The Jordanian MP, Imad Adwan, who recently charged with smuggling weapons into the Israeli-occupied West Bank is facing trial at the time of going to press.

The case is being held privately in a secure court, and is believed to be already under way although the case is shrouded in secrecy to the point that no media, nor anyone other than Mr Adwan’s lawyer, are allowed at the trial, typical of such cases handled by the security court.

It is also hugely embarrassing for King Abdullah II who reigns in Jordan as the country, despite being sympathetic to the Palestinian cause has very close relations with Israel.

For those who follow such cases, the matter of Adwan will remind many of a similar case in Lebanon in 2012 where a government minister called Michel Samaha was caught with explosives in his car, which he purchases in Damascus. The Christian pro Assad politician was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

In April, Israeli security personnel are believed to have arrested Mr Adwan at the Allenby Bridge on the Jordan river that separates the two countries whereupon they immediately handed him over to Jordanian authorities.

He is believed to have taken advantage of his diplomatic status to pull off the illegal arms sales to the Palestinians. In his car were 194 handguns and 12 rifles, according to Israeli media.

Jordan has close security co-operation with Israel and the countries are main recipients of US aid.

The official said Mr Adwan’s lawyer asked to dismiss the case over “lack of physical evidence” and on the grounds that the prosecution had built the allegations on hearsay, according to the National.

The Adwans, it claims, together with other tribes east of the Jordan river, played a main role in the formation of Jordan as a British protectorate in 1921.

Among the perks of being in the legislature is a diplomatic passport, which Mr Adwan is suspected of having used to carry out the smuggling.

According to the Jordanian indictment, Mr Adwan received a commission of $1,400 for every piece of weaponry and $700 for every kilogram of gold he smuggled in his car.

The vehicle, a Lexus, received “special treatment” at the crossing, the document claimed.