According to prosecutors, the aim was to destabilize the kingdom to give Prince Hamzah more power. Mr. Awadallah is an American and Jordanian citizen who was also granted Saudi citizenship after becoming close to leaders in Saudi Arabia. Sent as Jordan’s envoy to the kingdom, he later became an economic adviser to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia. After Mr. Awadallah’s arrest, senior officials including the Saudi head of intelligence rushed to Jordan to press the kingdom to release him. “If something happens to me in Jordan would the Saudi officials come to my help?’ the charge sheet quoted Prince Hamzah as asking Mr. Awadallah.

Source: International New York Times July 12, 2021 11:54 UTC