Cigarette scandal shifts attention to institutionalized corruption in Jordan
Jordanians were shocked to hear about a major corruption scandal involving officials who have allegedly helped businessmen run several unlicensed cigarette plants.
![An Iraqi's ink-stained finger is seen holding on to a cigarette in Amman December 14, 2005. [Iraq's al Qaeda and other militant groups branded landmark elections as ungodly and vowed to keep up their jihad to turn the country into an Islamic state, according to an Internet statement dated Monday.] - PBEAHUNUBES](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_large/public/almpics/2018/07/RTXO28F.jpg/RTXO28F.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=h_vB0bII "JORDAN")
Jordanians are following with great interest the unfolding of what could be the biggest corruption scandal in years. On July 25, the government said 14 individuals were arrested, including the main suspect’s son, while 16 others were still at large. On July 23, government spokesperson Gumana Ghnaimat was quoted by various news agencies as saying that this case might bring down big names, pointing to the possibility that former officials may be involved.
Jordanians were shocked and dismayed over revelations of a corruption case involving senior government officials and agencies that allegedly allowed a local businessman to run a number of unlicensed cigarette manufacturing plants all over the kingdom for over five years without paying customs and income tax. Even worse, it was later revealed the plants had been forging international cigarette brands without permission and selling them in Jordan and abroad.
