Jordanian authorities seize Amman building rented by Muslim Brotherhood

Jordanian authorities have seized control of a building in Amman rented jointly by a political party and the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood movement, as part of moves to identify and regulate the assets of groups classed as "unlicensed",  Arabi21 reported on Thursday.

The Dissolution Committee of the Ministry of Social Development announced that the building in the Bayader neighbourhood of Amman would be demolished after the building's owner had submitted an official request for payment of rent under a contract signed in 2006.

The head of the Dissolution Committee said that a team was sent to the site on 15 May, when it was discovered that the property was being used by the Brotherhood and another political party.

Jordan declared the Muslim Brotherhood an illegal association in April, ceasing the movement's operations in Jordan and prohibiting membership or promotion of its ideology.

In announcing the ban, Jordan's Minister of Interior Mazen al-Faraya accused the Islamist group of seeking to "destabilise security, undermine national unity, and disturb public safety".

The minister also accused the group of keeping weapons in residential areas, as well as missiles on the outskirts of the capital. 

Just days earlier, Jordan's intelligence agency announced it had arrested 16 individuals allegedly affiliated with the Brotherhood and accused them of plotting attacks involving rockets and drones.

In mid-May, Jordanian authorities called on all individuals holding assets belonging to the Brotherhood to report them to the Ministry of Social Development within a month, or face legal consequences.

Barq Al-Damour, Secretary-General of the ministry and head of the committee tasked with overseeing the group's dissolution, said the directive applies to anyone in possession of movable or immovable assets once owned by the Muslim Brotherhood or registered in its name, including property, funds, and other holdings.