AMMAN (dpa): Jordan arrested a pro-democracy activist on Monday for insulting King Abdullah II, security officials said, the fifth arrest for slandering the monarch in less than a week. Security sources said the pro-democracy activist was arrested during a sit-in in the southern city of Tafileh, 179 kilometers south of Amman, to protest the detention of four activists facing similar charges. Activists and security officials said Qusayr Al-Muheisan was transferred to a military court for slandering the King and “inciting illegal acts.” Activist Mohammed Qatatsheh said another protester was also arrested in Tafileh. Six pro-democracy activists have been arrested in the southern city following riots last week. A Jordanian police officer was stabbed last week in a pro-democracy rally in the city, which has become a hotbed of protest at high unemployment and lack of basic services. Insulting the King is a crime in Jordan, carrying a penalty of up to three years of hard labor. Earlier this month, Jordan released on a royal pardon a youth activist sentenced to three years in prison for burning a photo of the monarch in public. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/q70hb Tags: Activist, Arrested, Jordan, Slandering King Section: Human Rights, Jordan, Latest News
