Israel Releases Jordanian MP Caught Smuggling Weapons

Imad al-Adwan was arrested in April at the Allenby Bridge border crossing when Israeli authorities found 12 rifles and 194 pistols in his vehicle, according to the Shin Bet.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

Jordanian parliamentarian Imad al-Adwan, who was caught by Israel trying to smuggle weapons and other items to Palestinians, was returned to Jordan on Sunday morning where he is expected to be prosecuted.

Adwan was arrested in April at the Allenby Bridge border crossing, 51 km east of Jerusalem when Israeli authorities found 12 rifles and 194 pistols in his vehicle, according to the Shin Bet..

Jordan pressed Israel to release Adwan, while Jerusalem sought assurances that the 35-year-old parliamentarian would be prosecuted and serve out a prison sentence.

According to Israel’s Shin Bet security service, since February 2022, Adwan also used his diplomatic passport to smuggle illegal immigrants, gold, electronic cigarettes, and birds, for which the Shin Bet said he received “large sums of money.”

Adwan’s return to Jordan was sharply criticized by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

“The decision to release the terrorist who tried to bring here hundreds of weapons to be used for terrorist attacks and acts of crime in the heart of the country is a strategic and moral mistake.”

Adwan, born in 1988, is one of the youngest deputies in the Jordanian Parliament. A lawyer with a master’s degree in international law, he is a member of parliament’s Palestine Committee.

The Adwan clan, to which the lawmaker belongs, is one of the most powerful in Jordan. Hundreds of residents of Al-Adwan’s hometown of As-Salt are preparing to go to the Allenby Crossing to demonstrate for his release.

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