Prince Hamzah bin Hussein, Jordan’s former crown prince, was accused on Sunday of having links with foreign parties over “malicious plot” to undermine the country’s security and destabilize it.

Jordan’s ruling family traces its lineage back to Islam’s Prophet Muhammad. After the death of King Al Hussein bin Talal in 1999, Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein was crowned as king, and Hamzah, his half-brother, was titled the crown prince of Jordan. In 2004, however, King Abdullah stripped him of this title and gave it to his own eldest son, Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.

The military issued a warning to Hamzah over actions targeting “security and stability” in the kingdom. Hamzah denied the conspiracy allegations in a video and said he was under house arrest.

Additionally, 16 high-profile figures were arrested. Those arrested include Sharif Hassan bin Zaid, a member of the royal family, and Bassem Ibrahim Awadallah, a former head of the royal court.

Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi said on Sunday, “The investigations had monitored interferences and communications with foreign parties over the right timing to destabilize Jordan. Initial investigations showed these activities and movements had reached a stage that directly affected the security and stability of the country . . . .”

Hamzah has since affirmed his commitment to the constitution of the country.