The IPI global network strongly condemns the sentencing of journalist Heba Abu Taha to one year in prison for violating Jordan鈥檚 repressive 2023 cybercrime law. We urge the appellate court to overturn this unjust conviction and to expedite Abu Taha鈥檚 release. We also call upon the Jordanian government to immediately repeal Cybercrime Law No. 17 of 2023 and cease the use of lawfare to silence criticism.聽
On June 11, Abu Taha was sentenced to one year in prison for 鈥渋nciting discord and strife among members of society鈥�. Abu Taha is the first journalist to have been convicted under Jordan鈥檚 new cybercrime law, marking an escalation in Jordan鈥檚 lawfare against the press. Abu Taha plans to appeal the verdict.
Abu Taha鈥檚 sentence came after a complaint from the Jordanian Media Commission for an investigative article she wrote in April. , published in a Lebanese media outlet, exposed the existence of a so-called 鈥渓and bridge鈥� through Jordan that allows companies to ship goods from neighbouring countries into Israel, bypassing the Houthi-imposed blockade on the Red Sea. Jordanian officials have the existence of such a route.聽
Abu Taha was convicted under Articles 15 and 17 of Cybercrime Law 17 of 2023, a vague and overbroad law that IPI has previously warned can be abused to target and punish critical journalism.聽
鈥淭he sentencing of Heba Abu Taha demonstrates exactly how Jordanian authorities intend to use this law鈥�, IPI Director of Advocacy Amy Brouillette said. 鈥淗er sentence sends a chilling message to all journalists in Jordan: those who report on issues that contradict the official narrative will face severe consequences.鈥�
Abu Taha has faced detention for her work before. In 2020, for an interview she gave in 2012 and charged with 鈥渟lander and undermining the government鈥�. After one week in detention, she was found innocent and released. Last year, Abu Taha was for 鈥渄efamation鈥�, but was released after she successfully appealed the verdict.聽