Jordanian jailed for torching king's picture

The Jordanian State Security Court sentenced young activist Uday Abu Issa to two years in prison with the charge of “undermining the king’s dignity.”  Two weeks ago, Abu Issa torched King Abdullah II's picture in front of the town hall in Madaba. “It is the first time the judiciary issues such a severe punishment without considering the extenuating circumstances,” said Abu Issa’s defense attorney Moussa Abdallat. The attorney also pointed that the sentence was issued before taking into consideration mitigating evidences, and said the court immediately made of Abu Issa a political prisoner, jailing him just for expressing his opinion. Abdallat finally said that the sentence has been issued by a "non-constitutional" court, as he considers its rule illegal.