Ammon News - AMMON - Tareq al-Nuaimat - Al-Sabeel newspaper reported that, for the first time in Jordan, charges of establishing and belonging to an unsanctioned organization, the Salafi jihadist movement, were issued against one of the movement’s leaders known as "Abu Muhammad al-Tahawi."

Al-Sabeel noted that the charges against al-Tahawi included instigating sectarian and racist pronouncements. This comes on the backof a program broadcasted by al-Arabiyah satellite channel, called "Production of Death."

Observers see that directing such charges is an attempt to prevent "Salafi Jihadists" from public appearances through media platforms such as newspapers and satellite channels.

Al-Tahawi was arrested last week while he was visiting his moth in al-Baqaa refugee camp. He is currently held at al-Juweidah correctional facility.

The article in Al-Sabeel noted that directing charges on the basis of "Salafi Jihadist orientation" is unprecedented in Jordan.

A lawyer specialized in Islamist movements, Musa al-Abdullat, called for releasing al-Tahawi since he is of old age and suffers from severe medical illnesses.

Al-Abdullat argues that al-Tahawi doesn't deserve the accusations of “instigating sectarian pronouncements,” adding that he will request releasing al-Tahawi on bail.

* (From al-Sabeel)