* Spy agency extended its role under Dahabi
* Corruption cases taint image of agency
* Case is boldest in anti-graft campaign
(Adds details and background)
AMMAN, Feb 9 (Reuters) - A former Jordanian
intelligence chief was charged on Thursday with
money-laundering, embezzlement and abuse of power, judicial
officials said, in the latest move of a widening anti-graft
campaign propelled by popular protests against corruption.
The officials said General Mohammad al-Dahabi, who ran the
powerful intelligence services from 2005 to 2009, was charged on
the basis of information received from the central bank's
anti-money-laundering unit.
The prosecutor ordered Dahabi to be arrested and held for 14
days in Jweidah prison while an investigation is carried out,
they said.
It was the most dramatic step in an anti-graft campaign that
has widened in recent months to include the indictment of
several leading businessmen and a former mayor of Amman.
The campaign is seen as a response to demonstrations calling
for greater political freedom and an end to corruption.
"All files that have suspicions of corruption surrounding
them are now being opened," said Majeed Asfour, chief editor of
the state controlled Al-Rai newspaper.
Dahabi, whose brother Nalder Dahabi became prime minister
while he was in office, has been accused by independent
politicians and the country's Islamist opposition of overseeing
vote-rigging in 2007 parliamentary elections.
Media reports and leaks this week have also implicated
Dahabi in a kickbacks scandal involving journalists who were
allegedly on his payroll at the height of a smear campaign
against former royal court chief Bassem Awadallah.
The case is being investigated by the prosecutor general
after the main journalists' syndicate filed a complaint.
Awadallah, a confidant of the king who challenged a
conservative establishment opposed to his liberal policies, was
forced to resign in 2008.
Analysts say the powerful establishment was at the zenith of
its influence under Dahabi, interfering in top appointments and
harassing opposition leaders.
It also played a role in revoking citizenship for Jordanians
of Palestinian origin, despite reprimands from the king.
Jordan's old guard, rooted in the powerful intelligence
agency, fears reform will allow their countrymen of Palestinian
origin, a majority of the country's 6.7 million population, and
the Islamists a bigger political role and erode its grip.
(Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Andrew Roche)
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