AMMAN — The Public Prosecution office on Tuesday announced that 27 people have been detained and three companies were closed down in connection with the death of Jordanians travelling to perform Hajj outside the official mission in 2024, which resulted in the death of 99 people in June.

 

The prosecution office stated that the number of individuals who are currently being investigated in the case increased to 54 and that 27 were ordered detained at a correctional and rehabilitation centre pending further investigations, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

The prosecution office has so far heard 35 witnesses and decided to close down three companies as stipulated in the Anti-Human Trafficking Law, Petra quoted senior officials.

 

In addition, the prosecution office decided to seize all the amounts of money that were allegedly paid by the victims to the companies to facilitate the unauthorised travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, according to a judicial source.

 

 

Preliminary investigations indicated that some of the private company owners who are specialised in Hajj travel allegedly issued announcements offering to transport and secure places to sleep for individuals wishing to perform the Hajj without obtaining official Hajj permissions and without having to travel within the official Jordanian delegation in return for financial gains, the official source said.

 

The judicial source said investigations are ongoing in the case and the prosecution office is still questioning other companies and will present them to trial if they are found guilty.

 

The investigation will also involve coordination with the Cybercrime Unit to monitor and analyse victim testimonies and videos circulating on social media platforms regarding the unauthorised Hajj, the judicial source added.

 

Last month, Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh held a meeting with the relevant officials stressing the importance of cooperation among the related agencies.

 

The premier praised the government agencies’ rapid and professional response to reports about the deaths and injuries of pilgrims who were not members of the official mission.

 

The prime minister also commended the joint efforts of the Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs, and Holy Sites, the Foreign Ministry, the Jordanian Embassy in Riyadh, the Jordanian Consulate in Jeddah, the Interior Ministry, and various security agencies, who acted promptly and continue to monitor the conditions of the injured in Saudi hospitals and to search for the missing.

 

The Prime Minister also instructed all relevant ministries and authorities to immediately provide all information and data requested by the public prosecutor.