AMMAN, Jordan, May 31 (UPI) -- Jordanian Islamists blasted an anti-terrorism law enacted by the government, calling it a step towards turning the kingdom into a police state.
Zaki Bani Arshid, secretary-general of the Islamic Action Front, the political army of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood Organization, said Wednesday the law was introduced upon American dictates.
"We believe there is no need for enacting such a law and we are convinced that it was introduced in response to American directives hostile to Islam," Bani Arshid told United Press International.
He stressed that the ratification of the law for combating terrorism runs against the political situation in Jordan and official promises to introduce reforms. He warned "the new legislation will contain and limit the reform process, increase repression of public freedoms and turn Jordan into a police state."
The government approved on Sunday the draft law aimed at preventing terrorist action before it actually takes place.
The law, which will be referred to parliament for discussion at the extraordinary session in July, deems relations with any terrorist group and organization to be an act of terror, whether through direct action or indirectly through financing.
Recruiting people for terrorist organizations inside or outside the kingdom, and possessing, manufacturing, transporting or delivering any raw material that can be used in the production of chemical weapons for use in terrorist attacks falls under the bracket of terrorism.
The law allows the public prosecutor to arrest persons suspected to be involved in any terrorist activity; place them under tight surveillance; and bar them from leaving the country. It also permits suspects to be detained for two weeks.
It further stresses that verification of terrorism cases is the prerogative of the state security court.
