Jordan arrests journalist over sharing post questioning US aid
Authorities accuse Ali Younes of sedition after he reposted article criticizing American financial support for Jordan
AMMAN, Jordan (MNTV) — Jordanian authorities have arrested and prosecuted investigative journalist Ali Younes after he reposted an article questioning billions of dollars in US assistance to Jordan, prompting fresh concerns over restrictions on press freedom and political expression in the kingdom.
Younes, a Jordanian-American citizen and correspondent for US-based investigative outlet Drop Site News, said Jordanian intelligence officers detained him on Aug. 17 after he arrived at Queen Alia International Airport.
The officers questioned Younes before directing him to appear before prosecutors in Amman. According to Younes and his legal team, authorities told them that the case centered on his decision to repost an article published by The American Conservative examining Washington’s extensive financial support for Jordan.
The article, published in July, argued that the United States should reconsider billions of dollars in assistance provided to the Jordanian government and questioned whether American taxpayers should continue financing the kingdom.
Jordan has received approximately $33.8 billion in US assistance over the past 75 years and remains a major recipient of American economic and military support under continuing agreements between the two countries.
Rather than treating the repost as political commentary, Jordanian authorities have accused Younes of conduct that allegedly undermined the country’s national security.
During a court hearing on Monday, prosecutors reportedly expanded the allegations to include sedition and hate crimes in connection with the social media post, according to Drop Site News. Authorities have also imposed a travel ban preventing Younes from leaving Jordan.
The case has drawn criticism because the alleged offense stems from sharing an article that questioned government policy and foreign financial assistance rather than from an allegation that Younes engaged in violence or incited a specific unlawful act.
The prosecution adds to concerns about the environment for journalists and independent media in Jordan, where authorities have faced criticism over restrictions on political expression and online speech.
Younes has previously worked for Al Jazeera and contributed to international media organizations including The New York Times, Fox News, CNN and the BBC.
Drop Site News condemned the prosecution and called on Jordanian authorities to abandon the case and immediately remove the travel restriction imposed on Younes.
The outlet also urged the US government to assist Younes as an American citizen facing what it described as baseless charges.
The case places Jordan’s close relationship with Washington alongside questions about the limits of political expression inside the kingdom. While the government receives substantial American support, critics argue that journalists should be able to scrutinize that assistance without facing criminal prosecution.
The prosecution of Younes has therefore intensified scrutiny of Jordan’s treatment of independent journalism and raised questions over whether criticism of state policy is being increasingly treated as a threat to national security.
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