Muslim Brotherhood supporters
Muslim Brotherhood supportersReuters

Jordanian authorities on Thursday arrested the deputy leader of the Muslim Brotherhood’s branch in the kingdom, Zaki Bani Arshid, the Turkish Anadolu agency reported.

According to the report, the reason for the arrest is statements made by Arshid against the United Arab Emirates.

“The security agencies arrested Bani Arshid over his remarks against the United Arab Emirates over its release of a list of designated terrorist groups, which included the Brotherhood,” a Jordanian security source told Anadolu on condition of anonymity.

“Bani Arshid has made press remarks, during which he offended the United Arab Emirates over its decision to add the Brotherhood to its terror list,” he added.

The source said that the arrest came to “preserve Jordan’s interests and relations with a brotherly nation that hosts a considerable number of Jordanians.”

On Monday, Bani Arshid denounced the Emirate decision, and slammed the United Arab Emirates as the “top sponsor of terror.”

The Brotherhood's Islamic Action Front Party also denounced the Emirate designation, saying the decision ran counter to both logic and wisdom.

In response to Bani Arshid’s arrest, party spokesman Murad Adayleh deplored the move as “an insult to the nation and a bid to stifle voices.”

“The Brotherhood operates in Jordan in line with law and constitution and has contributed to the country’s security and stability for over 70 years,” he said.

The Jordanian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood is generally tolerated by the authorities and has wide grassroots support, but has often protested against the Jordanian government.

The group also objects to Jordan’s peace treaty with Israel and has often organized protests calling for its cancellation.

In 2012, Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood  sharply criticized the naming of a new ambassador to Israel, saying the move was “an act of provocation towards Jordanians.”

In September, Jordan arrested a senior member of the Muslim Brotherhood on charges of "incitement" against the authorities.