CAIRO: Jordan said it barred 10 people from traveling and charged 28 others with human trafficking and fraud for sending Jordanians to perform Hajj pilgrimage outside of the country's official quota, Petra News Agency reported.
The Public Prosecution announced the results of what it called preliminary investigations into the case of Jordanians traveling to perform Hajj rituals “outside the official mission during the current year 2024, which resulted in the death of 99 people,” citing the latest figures issued by the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs.
It said on Tuesday that the Public Prosecution as a result of the investigation, charged a felony of human trafficking and a misdemeanor of fraud against 28 defendants.
It added that the prosecution decided to arrest 19 people, including a woman, and prevent 10 people from traveling pending the investigation case.
The Public Prosecution will also commission the Anti-Cybercrime Unit to monitor and track the testimonies of the victims and videos related to promoting illegal Hajj on social media platforms.
Tourism companies around the world deceived foreign visitors to Saudi Arabia by issuing visas not intended for Hajj, while encouraging them to violate regulations by staying in Makkah two months before the pilgrimage, a Ministry of Interior spokesman said on Monday.
The security spokesman for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior Colonel Talal bin Abdul Mohsen bin Shalhoub said 1,301 people died during Hajj including 1,079 pilgrims who did not have Hajj permits. Those who died and were unauthorized to perform Hajj made up 83 percent of the total deaths.
