Jordan plot claims now cast in doubt
A NEW audio recording that has surfaced indicates that Jordanian authorities tried to silence a former crown prince for meeting with internal critics.
The recording casts doubt on the authorities’ claim that Prince Hamzah was involved in a foreign plot to destabilise the Westernallied monarchy.
It appears to capture the explosive meeting between Hamzah and the army chief of staff that triggered a rare public rift in the highest echelons of the royal family.
It also points to deep tensions between the prince and the security apparatus that could cause more headaches for King Abdullah II, his half-brother.
The recording, purportedly made on Saturday, circulated shortly after the palace and a mediator close to Prince Hamzah said that the royal family was in the process of resolving the crisis.
Hours after the recording surfaced, Jordan announced a ban on the publication of any details related to the incident.
It appears to be a surreptitious recording of the meeting between Hamzah and General Yousef Huneiti, the military chief of staff, who came to the prince’s palace on Saturday to inform him that he was being placed under a form of house arrest.
In the recording, the army chief says the prince is being punished because of meetings he had with individuals who “started talking more than they should”.
The prince raises his voice in anger, accusing the general of threatening him and saying he has no right to issue orders to a member of the royal family.
“You come to me and tell me in my house what to do and who to meet in my country and from my people? Are you threatening me?... You come to my house and tell me you and security leaders are threatening me? Not to leave your house, only go to your family and don’t tweet?”
“The bad performance of the state is because of me? The failure is because of me? Forgive me but the mistakes are my fault?” he says.
Gen Huneiti, speaking in a calm voice, denies threatening him and says he is simply delivering a message from the heads of intelligence and general security.
But by then, Hamzah is shouting over him. “Get in your car, sir!” Neither man mentions the king. The recording appeared authentic and is consistent with the prince’s earlier description of the encounter.
It was unclear how this new information would affect the royal family’s mediation efforts. There was also no word on the status of the prince or those who were arrested.