Jordan to charge 12 in online abuse of Istanbul Reina attack victims

AMMAN

AFP photo

Jordanian authorities are planning to prosecute 12 Jordanians on suspicion of hate speech aimed at victims of the New Year’s nightclub shooting attack in Istanbul, Jordanian state media has reported. 

Two Jordanians were among the 39 people killed in the shooting, which the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) had claimed responsibility for.

The Jordan Times, quoting the official news agency Petra, said on Jan. 6 that 16 people were initially investigated over abusive online comments. It said the attorney general had ordered 12 of the suspects detained for further investigation.

Government spokesman Mohammed Momani said the Jordanian government was considering new legislation aimed at fighting hate speech.

Turkey also launched probes into 347 social media users who posted in support of terror after the attack.