US State Department concerned about possible torture of Bassem Awadallah

The US Department of State has expressed concerns about the possible mistreatment of a former senior official, Bassem Awadallah, who was recently imprisoned on charges of incitement and sedition in an alleged plot against the Western-allied monarchy. The case also involves the half-brother of Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

A representative of Awadallah, who also holds US citizenship, said that the trial lacked appropriate legal procedures, while claiming that his client had been subjected to inhumane conditions, including beating, torture and solitary confinement. However, Jordan denies these accusations.

A US State Department official confirmed that on 9 August, the US Embassy in Amman: “Expressed its concerns to the Jordanian government about allegations of mistreatment and denial of family visits.”

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to comply with the ministry restrictions, asserted that Jordan denies these allegations, adding: “The embassy will continue to provide all appropriate consular assistance to Awadallah in line with our commitment to assisting American citizens abroad.”

Read: Jordan sentence coup plotters to 15 years in jail

The US regards Jordan as a key ally and source of stability in the turbulent Middle East region and rarely publicly criticises the kingdom.

Awadallah, who previously served as the king’s chief advisor, and Sharif Hassan Bin Zaid, a royal family member, were convicted of sedition and incitement last month and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

They allegedly conspired with Prince Hamzah Bin Hussein, the king’s half-brother, and sought foreign help.

The convictions followed a secret trial that lasted only for six sessions in a military court.

The court denied the defence attorneys’ requests to call witnesses, and prosecutors only disclosed purported transcripts, but not original audio recordings from the alleged conspirators’ surveillance tapes.

In turn, former US federal prosecutor Michael Sullivan, who the Awadallah family appointed in the US as their son’s attorney, proclaimed that the trial: “Violated all international standards of justice and human rights.”

Read: Jordan fires Basem Awadallah from Arab Bank administration