Ammon News - By Mohammad Abo Hmaed

AMMONNEWS - The prominent figure in the Salafi Jihadist current in Jordan Abu Muhamamad Al Maqdisi, who is in prison for allegedly financing terrorist groups, has been "arbitrarily" transferred to Muwaqqar II prison, a Salafi leader said.

Jordanian Salafi Jihadist Movement' leader, Muhammad al-Shalabi, also known as "Abu Sayyaf", told Ammon News that the prison administration has again unwarrantably transferred Al Maqdisi to Muwaqqar II prison without giving reasons.

Abu Sayyaf considered the move an "unacceptable repressive policy" and threatened that the movement will carryout "escalation measures" in the upcoming days if the transfer decision is not reversed.

The Salafi leader did not give details on the nature of the measures.

Abu Muhammad Al Maqdisi, whose real name is Essam al Barqawi, had went on a hunger strike last October, demanding to be transferred from Um al-Lulu Prison in Zarqa east of Amman to the Hashimya prison (northeast Amman) bus his request was rejected. noting that the prison administration seized Maqdisi's books.

Abu Sayyaf said Al Maqdisi went on hunger strike in protest of "abuse" by the prison administration, claiming that the prison administration was not offering his medicines as he was suffering from back pains.

In July,2011, Jordan's State Security Court charged Maqdisi with financing terrorism organizations and recruiting members to join an Afghan terrorist group.

The special military court sentenced Maqdisi to five years in prison after ruling a guilty verdict in a number of charges, including financing terrorism.

Upon announcing the verdict, Maqdisi exclaimed that the ruling will not "deter" him from supporting the Mujahideen.

It is noted that Al Maqdisi was released from prison in 1999 by Royal Amnesty after he was indicted in 1994, and arrested again several times between 2000 and 2007. Al Maqdisi's son was killed by US forces in Mosul, northern Iraq 2010.