Jordan officially calls for return of journalist held in UAE

The Jordanian government declared Friday that efforts are made to secure the return of the journalist Tayseer al-Najjar, who was sentenced to prison by a UAE court in March 2017.

Guarantees will be given to the UAE justice officials in order to be able move him to Jordan, where he will spend the rest of his jail time, the government added.

Tayseer al-Najjar was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of 500,000 dirhams after he posted Facebook comments deemed “insulting to the United Arab Emirates”, according to the court verdict. 

In September, the Jordan Press Association (JPA) sent a letter to the Jordanian government asking for its help in securing a pardon and a release for the journalist.

“We have been following up on his case since he was arrested and have used all channels and means to try to secure his release and or pardon.  The government informed us that there is a possibility for something positive taking place in his case,” JPA President Rakan Saaideh told The Jordan Times.

“We are working on all possible details to secure his release to a Jordanian correctional and rehabilitation centre so he can be closer to his family,” Saaideh added.