A Jordanian military tribunal sentenced on Tuesday a former MP to two years in prison for undermining the prestige and reputation of state. According to AFP, the state security court also handed Ahmad al-Abbadi a 21-month prison term for belonging to an illegal movement - the US-based Jordan National Movement, and distributing anti-regime leaflets.
But it decided that Abbadi, who pleaded not guilty to charges, will only serve the longer sentence and pay a 30-dinar (some 42 dollars) fine. "The decision is unjust and shows that there is no democracy in Jordan," Abbadi's wife, Jamilah, told AFP.
His lawyer Omar Alwan said he will appeal the verdict within 30 days.
The former MP, who last served in parliament from 1997 to 2001, was imprisoned for allegedly posting on the Internet a letter he wrote to US Senate majority leader Harry Reid, branding the regime of King Abdullah II as "corrupt" and making allegations of human rights abuse.
But Abbadi, who was detained in May, denied the "politically motivated and malicious" accusation.
