7 held for alleged libel

AMMAN — Seven social media users and journalists were held in detention on Wednesday after allegedly publishing a corruption accusation against a senior official, a senior official source said.

Amman Prosecutor Abdullah Abul Ghanam decided to detain the seven after the senior official filed a complaint against them that they "were publishing false accusations against him on social media", the senior official source told The Jordan Times.

"The seven were detained because they failed to show up on time for questioning when they were summoned by Abul Ghanam" the official source said.

The source added that no charges have been levelled against the seven yet and "the case is in no way against freedom of the press".

"It is just a case against individuals who used social media to spread false, slanderous and defaming information," the senior official source added.

The seven individuals are expected to be questioned by Abul Ghanam on Thursday, the source added.

Jordan Press Association President Rakan Saaydeh was unavailable to comment on the incident Wednesday night.