Israel releases Jordanian MP suspected of smuggling weapons
Imad Al-Adwan, 35, will be transferred to Amman's custody on condition that he is prosecuted
Israel is releasing a Jordanian lawmaker who allegedly smuggled gold and over 200 weapons, including pistols and automatic rifles, after reaching an understanding with Jordan.
Imad Al-Adwan, 35, is a lawyer and a member of the Palestine Committee in the Jordanian Parliament. The two countries reached an agreement to release the member of parliament into Amman’s custody, on the condition that he will be prosecuted upon his return and treated "harshly."
The court hearing that had been scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Israel to discuss the extension of Al-Adwan's arrest was canceled in light of the agreement, and Israel's Shin Bet internal security agency confirmed the end of his arrest.
It was revealed that Al-Adwan began smuggling contraband in February 2022 on multiple occasions, traveling into Israel using his diplomatic passport.
Besides rifles and pistols, it was revealed that the lawmaker also illegally brought animals, electronic cigarettes, gold, and even illegal immigrants, in exchange for hefty payments.
The Jordanian authorities will investigate further and prosecute the lawmaker. According to local reports in Jordan, the lawmaker had his immunity revoked by the legislation.
At the time of his arrest, security officials in Israel called the incident "disturbing," but Foreign Minister Eli Cohen tried to downplay the attempted smuggling as a criminal act. When asked what Israel would demand, he replied, "to bring him to justice and make him pay the price for the serious act that he committed."
"The Jordanian Ambassador spoke with Al-Adwan about the circumstances of his arrest, the procedures of his investigation to ensure that the conditions of his arrest respect his rights and human rights," said the official statement from Jordan's Foreign Ministry when the lawmaker was arrested.
Al-Adwan was able to meet with his lawyer as recently as Friday, before his release on Sunday.