Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - It is not true that all the cases that brought journalists before the court in the past two days relate to 'other citizens' rights' such as alimony and bounced checks, as Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Nabil Sharif said in a press conference Wednesday evening.

The majority of cases being heard before the court relate directly to publishing and freedom of expression. A journalist asked during the press conference about the case of Jihad Abu Baydar, only to receive a tensed reply from the government spokesman and denial of the facts that had taken place.

Abu Baydar told 'Ammon News' that he stood before the Public Prosecutor on the backof an article published in Shihan newspaper where he had criticized 'Hizb Al Tahrir' (Party of Liberation). He was referred to the State Security Court on Wednesday under an order of the Public Prosecutor.

Jihad Abu Baydar's case is purely a publishing case, not alimony or bounced checks as the government spokesman tried to show. Similarly colleague journalists Walid Husni, Alaa Fazza', and Faris Habashneh have all been referred to the State Security Court recently.

Sharif noted in the press conference that members of the Judicial Implementation Department did not raid the sites of any newspaper, rather, Sharif said, those running the newspapers were contacted by phone. Yet, the case of Jamal Al Muhtasib contradicts Sharif's statements.

Al Muhtasib had said that police forces on Tuesday raided the offices of 'Jarasa' electronic news agency and 'Al Miraa' weekly.

Al Muhtasib said in a statement published on the website that the raid comes at the backof 'hot publishing issues,' and described the raid as an 'exaggerated and irresponsible security measure' aimed at promoting a culture of fear amongst journalists.

Al Muhtasib told 'Ammon News' that he was shocked at the raid, noting that he would have appeared before the Judicial Implementation Department if they would have contacted him. He said that he considers himself a close friend to security forces and maintains good personal relations with many, including the head of the Public Security Directorate (PSD).

No response has been issued by security forces or government authorities in regards to Al Muhtasib's statements since Tuesday.

In this same context, columnists have also been called to appear before the public prosecutor recently on cases related to publishing, including columnist Omar Kallab, who appeared before the court over a law suit filed by former MP Khalil Attiyeh over an article published on Kallab's electronic site.

More than 15 journalists have appeared before the public prosecution in the past few days, three of which were referred to the State Security Court, some over cases dating back to 10 years ago related to unpaid balanced to the state treasury, and not to citizens (as Sharif had stated).