Jordan’s High Court of Justice is expected Monday to issue its verdict regarding a contest filed by four exiled Hamas, deported to Qatar from the kingdom last year following a crackdown on the movement.
Lawyer for the four Islamist leaders, Saleh Armouti, told AFP Saturday that “the court may issue a verdict of annulment to the government’s decision or overrule the contest.”
However, the lawyer said that the Justice court might, at Monday’s hearing, listen to testimonies regarding the circumstances surrounding the arrest and deportation of the Hamas top people, who hold Jordanian citizenship.
“In this case, the court will postpone the verdict,” said Armouti, an Islamist himself and head of the Bar Association.
In January, the lawyer filed a motion at the High Court of Justice protesting that Jordanian authorities sent into exile Khalid Misha’l, head of Hamas Politburo, the group’s spokesman Ibrahim Ghousheh, in addition to two other members: Izzat Rishiq and Sami Khater. They were charged of belonging to a foreign organization, possession of weapons and conducting illegal political activities.
Armouti said that the decision contradicts Article 9 of the country’s constitution which prohibits deporting a Jordanian citizen.
AFP said that Jordan reiterated to Qatar its position that it would allow the return of the four men “in their capacity as citizens and not members of an organization.” – Albawaba.com
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