Court hears testimonies of 16 defence witnesses in ‘tobacco case’

AMMAN — The State Security Court (SSC) has so far listened to the testimonies of 16 defence witnesses in the tobacco case involving 29 defendants.

SSC Presiding Judge Mohammad Afifi told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, on Thursday that he will continue hearing sessions in the case next Tuesday.

Six of the defendants are at large and one is dead, while 24 companies are involved in the headline-grabbing case, including 22 registered under the names of 22 of the defendants.

Two of the companies involved in the case are registered under two names of the witnesses, all totalling 141, accredited as having information relevant to the case.

The case also includes 136 written statements that allegedly prove the guilt of defendants, indicted with 21 charges including eight crimes and 13 misdemeanours.

The administration of the correctional and rehabilitation centres on Friday announced the hospitalisation of one of the defendants, who was admitted to the ICU at a government hospital.

According to Afifi, the defendant suffered from high blood sugar levels and heart failure.

Another defendant in the “tobacco case” passed away last week, according to Afifi.

The cause of death was not officially announced but local news reports pointed out that the man, who was not officially named, allegedly died of a heart attack.