Jordan ex-spy chief detained over graft charges

Jordanian prosecutors on Thursday ordered the detention of former spy chief Mohammad Dahabi over corruption-related charges, a judicial official said.

"Amman prosecutors today ordered a 15-day detention of Dahabi over money laundering, abuse of power and embezzlement charges," the official told AFP.

Dahabi, a general who ran the intelligence department from 2005 to 2008, has "pleaded not guilty," the official said.

On January 25, Dahabi was barred from leaving the country and had his assets frozen by order of Jordan's general prosecutor following a central bank complaint against him.

In December, King Abdullah II launched an anti-corruption drive against figures once seen as untouchable, in an effort to satisfy calls by the opposition for Jordanian society to be cleaned of graft.

But the opposition has remained sceptical and continues to call for senior officials to be brought to justice for alleged embezzlement of public funds.

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