Fallen Crown Prince Hamza said in an audio recording on Monday (April 5) that he would disobey orders from the Jordanian military directing him not to communicate with the outside world after being placed under house arrest.
"I will not obey orders. When they tell you that you cannot go out, or tweet, or make contact with people, but only with your family," he said in an audio recording that he circulated to his friends and contacts.
The army had warned him on Saturday (April 3) against actions which it said undermine "the security and stability" of Jordan, a major ally of the United States.
Ties with powerful tribes
Prince Hamza said he was under house arrest and several high-ranking personalities were arrested.
Authorities on Sunday accused Prince Hamza of having been in contact with accomplices abroad in a plot to destabilize Jordan, adding that he had been under surveillance for some time.
>> To see again on France 24: INTERVIEW (13/01/2020) - Exclusive: "We cannot have instability in the region", estimates King Abdullah II of Jordan
King Abdullah II dismissed his half-brother as heir to the throne in 2004 in order to consolidate his power.
Although marginalized for years, Prince Hamza irritates the authorities because of the links he cultivates with leaders of powerful tribes, sometimes very critical of the king.
Kingdom officials said efforts had been made for many years to resolve the dispute within the royal family, however, adding that Prince Hamza had not been cooperative.
With Reuters
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