AMMAN, Jordan, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Jordan's Islamic movement said Sunday the State Security Court prosecution has charged one of its leaders with "insulting the dignity of the state."
The Islamic Action Front, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood movement, said in a statement the prosecution charged Deputy Secretary-General of the IAF, Jamil Abu Bakr, with insulting the state.
It said the military prosecution summoned Abu Bakr to the court on Thursday following last month's comments by IAF parliament members Azzam Huneidi and Ali Abu Sukkar that sharply criticized former Prime Minister Faisal al-Fayez's government in its public employment policies.
The Islamic legislators accused the former government of having appointed public employees based on nepotism for personal benefits.
The IAF is the largest and most influential opposition group in the kingdom and leads a coalition of 13 other opposition political parties.
IAF lawyer Zuhair Abul Ragheb told United Press International he accompanied Abu Bakr to the prosecutor's office, during which he denied the charges.
Abul Ragheb said he contacted the concerned authorities to ensure the Islamic leader not be held in custody and was free on a 1,000-dinar ($1,400) bond.
The authorities briefly detained Abu Bakr last month, during which he was interrogated over comments he made that supported the criticism of the two Islamic parliamentarians, who enjoy immunity from prosecution while Parliament is in session.
He was immediately released last month without being charged. But if he is convicted, Abu Bakr faces a maximum three year prison term.
The Islamic movement has often complained that consecutive governments harass its members and try to stifle its activities and freedom to criticize the performance of the authorities.
