Beirut, April 10, 2024\u2014The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Jordanian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release freelance photojournalist Ahmad Mohsen, professionally known as Sherbel Dissi, from administrative detention and ensure journalists are allowed to freely cover events of public interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On March 30, security forces arrested Mohsen alongside dozens of protesters<\/a> while he was reporting on demonstrations<\/a> in front of the Israeli embassy<\/a> in Amman, Jordan\u2019s capital, according to a post<\/a> on X, formerly Twitter, by independent Jordanian outlet 7iber, that Mohsen freelances with<\/a>, and multiple sources familiar with the incident who spoke to CPJ on the condition of anonymity, citing fear of retaliation. Those sources added that Mohsen was wearing a press vest and a press badge. On April 1, Amman\u2019s governor ordered Mohsen\u2019s administrative detention and he was taken to the city\u2019s Marka prison, 7iber said. On April 6, Mohsen was moved to Al-Salt prison, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) northwest of the capital, it added. The governor refused to release him on bail, 7iber said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Human Rights Watch<\/a> has criticized Jordan\u2019s use of administrative detention<\/a>, or incarceration on executive orders without charge or time limits, for enabling abuse and denying detainees the rights they would have under the regular criminal justice system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJordanian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release photojournalist Ahmad Mohsen, known as Sherbel Dissi, and stop violating his right to a fair trial by holding him in administrative detention,\u201d said CPJ Program Director Carlos Mart\u00ednez de la Serna in New York. \u201cJournalists should be able to report on matters of public interest freely and without fear of reprisal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n CPJ\u2019s app messages to 7iber and emails to Amman Governorate and the Ministry of Governmental Communications for comment on Mohsen\u2019s detention did not immediately receive a response.<\/p>\n\n<\/s><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\r\nThis content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists<\/a> and was authored by Committee to Protect Journalists.
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