The Media Line: Jordan Indicts 28 for Helping Pilgrims Bypass Hajj Visa Limits
Written by on June 25, 2024
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Jordan Indicts 28 for Helping Pilgrims Bypass Hajj Visa Limits
By The Media LineThe Media Line Staff
Jordan has formally charged 28 individuals with human trafficking-related offenses for allegedly helping pilgrims illegally attend this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia, Jordan’s state news agency reported Tuesday.
The Saudi government issues a limited number of annual Hajj visas to each country to manage overcrowding and safety concerns.
Following an initial investigation, the Jordanian public attorney’s office, overseeing the prosecution, confirmed that the defendants are accused of facilitating unregulated travel for
Jordanians beyond the country’s quota, resulting in approximately 99 deaths.
The charges against the 28 defendants include felony human trafficking and misdemeanor fraud. Authorities have detained 19 individuals and banned 10 others from leaving the country.
This year, 1,301 people died during Hajj, 1,079 of whom were pilgrims without official permits, accounting for 83% of all deaths, according to a spokesperson for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of the Interior.
The Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, attracting millions for days of prayer and ritual.
All financially and physically able Muslims are expected to attend the Hajj at least once in their lifetime. Due to the high cost of the visa, many pilgrims from poorer countries see the pilgrimage as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, making them vulnerable to abuse and unsafe conditions.
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