Jordanian MP Yanal Freihat Arrested for Criticizing Government on Facebook
Jordanian security forces detained Yanal Freihat, a leading member of the Islamic Action Front (IAF) party and prominent MP, on Sunday over a Facebook post that criticized the government’s accusations against the Muslim Brotherhood. Freihat was later released on bail as the investigation continues under Jordan’s Cybercrime Law.
The public prosecutor ordered a one-week detention after Freihat questioned the government’s claim that the Muslim Brotherhood illegally collected 30 million dinars (approximately $42 million). Freihat also challenged the official narrative surrounding the allegations.
Known as one of Jordan’s most popular conservative MPs, Freihat has consistently won strong voter support. In the September 2024 parliamentary elections, he garnered around 18,000 votes—one of the highest totals nationwide. During the same election, the IAF, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, secured the largest vote share, fueled in part by its firm stance on the Palestinian cause.
Over the past two months, Jordan’s intelligence services have arrested and interrogated hundreds of individuals expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. This campaign represents the most extensive crackdown in decades.
Freihat’s arrest marks the most significant action against the IAF to date. He is the first sitting MP to be detained since the government intensified its crackdown following the formal ban of the Muslim Brotherhood in April.
