Jordanian journalist arrested on arrival, denied lawyer and family visits

Amman, December 23, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Jordanian authorities to explain the arbitrary detention of Jordanian journalist Mohammad Faraj, whose whereabouts are unknown since he was arrested on December 12 upon landing in the capital Amman.

Faraj, a 43-year-old journalist with the Beirut-based pro-Hezbollah broadcaster Al-Mayadeen TV, was interrogated upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport from the Lebanese capital, Beirut, where he lives on December 12, according to his wife, journalist Rana Abi Jumaa, who traveled with Faraj and witnessed his arrest. 

Abi Jumaa told CPJ that she and the family had been unable to see Faraj, who they believe is being held at the General Intelligence Department, without legal representation, or to establish the reason for his detention.

“Detaining a journalist without disclosing charges, denying access to a lawyer, and preventing family visits raises serious concerns about due process and press freedom in Jordan,” said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. “Jordanian authorities must immediately reveal Mohammad Faraj’s whereabouts, clarify the legal basis for his detention, and allow him access to his family and legal counsel.”

Al-Mayadeen TV has called for Faraj’s release and political parties have condemned his detention. 

Faraj’s work routinely critiques the policies of the U.S. and the NATO military alliance but he has not written about Jordanian politics for Al-Mayadeen TV since 2024. Jordan is characterized by restrictions on press freedom, with the cybercrime law used to prosecute journalists and multiple news sites banned. 

Tareq al-Momani, president of the Jordan Press Association, told CPJ that he was not aware of the reason for Faraj’s arrest but the syndicate was monitoring the case.

‎The communist-affiliated news outlet Al-Jamaheer said that Faraj may have been detained because of his work with Al-Mayadeen TV, whose coverage tends to be pro-Iranian. Jordan is allied with the U.S. and Israel. 

CPJ did not receive a response to its request for comment sent via the General Intelligence Department website.