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December 20, 2025 – Jordan –
Amid mounting concern from media advocates and political actors across the Arab world, Jordanian authorities have detained Lebanese journalist Mohammed Faraj without disclosing the legal basis for his arrest or his current status, prompting widespread criticism and calls for his release. Faraj, known for his work as a presenter and documentary maker with the Lebanese news outlet al-Mayadeen, was stopped by officials at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman when returning from Beirut with his wife, journalist Rana Abi Jumaa. Following an intensive search and questioning, he was taken into custody and has not been heard from publicly since, with officials offering no explanation for his detention or confirming whether formal charges have been filed. Family members have reportedly been denied access to him and have received no updates on his location or legal situation.
Al-Mayadeen and rights groups have characterized the detention as arbitrary and a violation of fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of expression and press rights. The network highlighted that after Faraj’s initial detention last week, his family was assured of a prompt release, a promise that has not been honored, leaving them without verified information and reliant on unconfirmed reports about his well-being.
The case has drawn sharp criticism from political and cultural organizations within Jordan. The Jordanian Communist Party condemned the arrest, stating that Faraj has neither been presented before a judicial authority nor allowed contact with legal counsel, framing these actions as infringements on basic human and legal rights. An alliance of currents within the Jordanian Writers Association also urged his immediate release, describing his continued detention as unlawful deprivation of liberty and an assault on free expression. Jordanian Writers Association leaders expressed solidarity with Faraj and al-Mayadeen and emphasized that the ongoing detention contravenes democratic principles.
International and regional advocacy groups have echoed these concerns, framing Faraj’s detention as part of a broader pattern of pressure on journalists and activists, particularly those expressing support for Palestinian rights. The Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network condemned the arrest as an attack on free Arab media, urging the unconditional release of Faraj and calling on media institutions, press unions, and human rights organizations to amplify pressure on Jordanian authorities to end what they describe as repression of journalistic voices.
The detention occurs against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of Jordan’s approach to political dissent and press freedoms, with critics citing previous actions against journalists and activists as indicative of systemic constraints on media and expression in the country.
Reference –
Jordanian arrest of journalist Mohamed Faraj is a blatant attack on free Arab media
