The “Amman Epstein” case sparked widespread reactions within Jordan’s medical community after reports circulated that the suspect was a doctor specialising in cosmetic surgery. [Getty]
Jordan has been shaken by a case involving a man accused of impersonating a cosmetic doctor and allegedly sexually assaulting three minors at his home in the capital, Amman, sparking widespread anger across the country.
The families of the three minors filed complaints alleging that their children had been lured to the suspect’s home. Authorities later heard testimony and recorded statements before security forces detained the man.
The case has been dubbed the “Amman’s Epstein” on social media, in reference to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Jordan’s Public Security Directorate announced the arrest in an official statement without naming the suspect.
The directorate said a report had been submitted to the Family and Juvenile Protection Department regarding allegations that three minors had been sexually assaulted inside a residence in Amman.
Authorities identified the minors and summoned them for questioning, while their families filed formal complaints, the statement added.
The suspect was later arrested and referred to the prosecutor at the Grand Criminal Court, who ordered his detention in a correctional and rehabilitation centre on charges of “indecent assault”.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are continuing to collect evidence and forensic material, according to the statement.
Under Jordanian law, “indecent assault” is classified as a sexual offence and is treated seriously because of the sensitivity of such cases.
Medical bodies distance themselves from suspect
The case has also triggered strong reactions within Jordan’s medical community following reports that the suspect presented himself as a cosmetic surgeon.
The Jordanian Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons issued a statement on Monday clarifying that the detained individual was neither a member of the association nor registered as a specialist in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
The association stressed the importance of verifying the academic and professional qualifications of anyone practising in the medical or cosmetic fields and warned against the impersonation of medical professionals or the misuse of social media platforms.
It urged the public to verify doctors’ credentials through official accredited bodies before undergoing medical or cosmetic procedures.
Commenting on the case, Jarir Al-Khalidi, president of the Jordanian Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, described it as an “individual case” that did not reflect Jordan’s medical sector, adding that the profession in the country adheres to strict ethical and professional standards.
He also said the inaccurate use of the term “cosmetic doctor” risked harming the reputation of the plastic surgery profession.
Hazem Al-Qaraleh, spokesperson for the Jordan Medical Association, told The New Arab that the individual at the centre of the case was registered with the association as a general practitioner.
Al-Qaraleh said the association was handling the matter institutionally but could not impose disciplinary measures while the case remained before the courts.
“The legal principle states that the criminal judiciary restricts administrative decisions,” he said.
He added that the association would wait for a final judicial ruling before taking any measures in line with Jordanian law.
Al-Qaraleh also said the doctor had previously been summoned by the association in 2019 and 2023 over professional and behavioural violations linked to medical advertising, stressing that those incidents were unrelated to the current allegations.
The suspect had built a public profile in recent years through media appearances and beauty-related content on digital and social media platforms, where he discussed skincare, makeup and cosmetic procedures.
Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari. To read the original, click here.
