[JURIST] A Jordanian court on Sunday sentenced a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood [BBC backgrounder; JURIST news archive] to 18 months in prison for openly criticizing a decision by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The court found Zaki Bani Ersheid, number two ranking member of the Jordanian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, guilty of making statements [AP report] that are “likely to damage relations between the kingdom and a foreign country.” Ersheid had criticized the UAE for labeling the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group and and blacklisting the organization. On his Facebook page, Ersheid said that the UAE is “the prime godfather of terrorism,” as well as describing the country as catering to US and Israeli interests. The Islamic Action Front, the political branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, stated, “[The verdict goes against] individual liberties and the freedom of expression… [It was] a clear and negative political message.”

The Muslim Brotherhood has been facing legal challenges, particularly in Egypt. Last week an Egyptian court ordered the release [JURIST report] on bail of two Al Jazeera journalists being retried on terror charges. Baher Mohammed and Mohammed Fahmy have spent more than 400 days in jail after a court found them guilty for falsifying news reports and associating with the Muslim Brotherhood. Earlier this month a court in Egypt confirmed death sentences [JURIST report] for 183 supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and ousted president Mohammed Morsi. In October an Egyptian court jailed eight men [JURIST report], including two Muslim Brotherhood leaders, for 15 years over the torture of a lawyer during 2011 uprisings against former president Hosni Mubarak. In June a group of UN human rights experts expressed their anger [JURIST report] after an Egyptian court confirmed the death sentences of 183 supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood.