Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday accused former Crown Prince Hamza bin Hussein of conspiring with foreign elements in a “malicious plot” that threatened national security.
Safadi told reporters that the plot had been foiled at the “zero hour.”
“Then it was clear they moved from design and planning into action,” Safadi said. He says some 14-16 people are under arrest.
Safadi spoke a day after Prince Hamza was placed under house arrest.
Safadi, who also holds the title of deputy prime minister, said intelligence agents had been observing the plotters for some time and raised their concerns with the king.
He said Hamza was asked to “stop all these activities and movements that threaten Jordan and its stability,” but he refused.
He said a longtime senior official, Bassem Awadallah, was involved and had been planning on leaving the country. He also said Awadallah had been trying to secure a place for Hamza's wife to flee.
