A former customs chief, an ex-minister and a top businessman in Jordan were among 29 suspects charged Thursday (February 7th) with corruption in a case involving fake cigarettes, AFP reported.
More than a dozen companies and firms were also charged in the "tobacco case" which media reports have said had cost Jordan's treasury hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenues.
The suspects indicted by the prosecutor of the state security court, which is a military tribunal, include prominent businessman Awni Mutee, ex-customs chief Waddah al-Hamoud and former water minister Munir Oweis.
Several charges were levelled against 29 suspects and the companies implicated in the case, including abuse of power, bribery, smuggling and money laundering.
They stand accused of "activity harmful to the security and well-being" of the public and of "endangering" society, according to a 66-page chargesheet.
The prosecutor has referred them to trial.
Oweis and al-Hamoud were arrested in January, while Mutee, the main accused, was extradited from Turkey in December. Six suspects are on the run.
