Authorities arrest for nuclear reactor leak rumours

AMMAN — Amman General Prosecutor Judge Mohammad Afif ordered the detention of a pharmacist for allegedly spreading rumours about a leak at the research nuclear reactor at the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST).

The pharmacist was charged with a misdemeanour of broadcasting false news, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Following investigations, the Cybercrime Unit was able to track down the suspect and refer him to the general prosecutor.

In January, Jordan Atomic Energy Commission Commissioner Kamal Araj denied the occurrence of radioactive leaks at the nuclear research reactor.

Araj said that cracks existed in the reactor’s external structures but not in the reactor itself, and that the reactor in general was not dangerous.

A report was circulated on social media platforms claiming that JUST’s research reactor had a leak. The report also claimed that the levels of nuclear radiation inside JUST’s campus exceeded the permitted global levels.