Omar Al-Zayood

Background and Work

Omar Al-Zayood is the publisher of Al-Hashmiyah News, an independent Jordanian news outlet that reports on public affairs, government accountability, and issues affecting communities across Jordan. Independent media in Jordan operate under significant pressure, navigating laws that criminalise journalistic expression and allow public officials to initiate criminal complaints against reporters and publishers.

Al-Hashmiyah News has covered sensitive topics and held public officials to account, work that places its editorial team at risk of legal retaliation. Al-Zayood's role as publisher makes him directly liable under Jordanian law for content published by the outlet.

The Arrest

Al-Zayood was arrested on 17 March 2025 following a complaint filed by former Prime Minister Bisher Al-Khasawneh. The complaint triggered criminal charges under provisions that penalise alleged inaccuracies in reporting and statements deemed insulting to the dignity of individuals.

The public prosecutor in Amman ordered his arrest after questioning him on these charges. Under the applicable legal framework, Al-Zayood faces imprisonment of three months to three years and fines ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 Jordanian dinars — approximately 7,000 to 28,000 US dollars. The charges relate to reporting published by Al-Hashmiyah News, though the specific article or content that prompted the complaint has not been publicly detailed.

Legal Proceedings

Al-Zayood remains in detention pending trial. The legal framework under which he is charged allows public officials to file complaints that trigger criminal proceedings, creating a mechanism for retaliation against critical journalism. These provisions treat editorial judgments as potential crimes and place the burden of proof on publishers to demonstrate the accuracy and legitimacy of their reporting.

The penalties Al-Zayood faces are disproportionate to the alleged conduct. Imprisonment and substantial fines for journalistic work contravene international standards protecting freedom of expression and the press, including Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Jordan is a state party.

Press Freedom Context in Jordan

Jordan's legal framework imposes severe restrictions on journalistic expression. Laws criminalising inaccuracy, insult, and defamation are regularly invoked against reporters, editors, and publishers who cover government officials, security matters, or politically sensitive topics. The ability of public officials to initiate criminal complaints directly transforms editorial criticism into a legal liability.

Pre-trial detention is commonly used in cases involving journalists, prolonging the period of incarceration before any verdict is reached and exerting pressure on defendants and their media outlets. The combination of criminal penalties, heavy fines, and the threat of closure creates a chilling effect that discourages investigative reporting and critical coverage.

Human Rights Concerns

Al-Zayood's arrest and detention raise serious violations of international human rights standards. His detention is arbitrary, initiated through a complaint mechanism that enables retaliation against independent media. The charges against him criminalise legitimate journalistic activity, contravening the right to freedom of expression.

The use of pre-trial detention in his case, combined with the potential for lengthy imprisonment and substantial fines, constitutes judicial harassment designed to silence critical voices. The legal proceedings undermine due process and fair trial rights, instrumentalising the judiciary to suppress dissent and independent reporting.

Al-Zayood's case exemplifies the broader pattern of press freedom violations in Jordan, where independent journalists face systematic legal and administrative pressure, and where the space for public accountability reporting continues to narrow.