Abdullah Ibhais, a Jordanian whistleblower who spent three years jailed in Doha after a 2021 conviction, was detained in Amman shortly before a voluntary US deposition in a case alleging forced labour linked to the 2022 World Cup. His family say Jordan's GID detained him in front of his children without presenting a warrant and initially denied legal access; reports indicate he was later released. Ibhais had secured a US visa on 6 August 2026 and was subpoenaed for a 20 August 2026 deposition, though his passport was previously confiscated between May and July 2026. Human rights groups back Ibhais's claims, while Qatari authorities cite his corruption-related convictions.
Qatar Whistleblower Abdullah Ibhais Detained In Amman Ahead Of US Testimony In 2022 World Cup Labour Case
Qatar whistleblower Abdullah Ibhais has been arrested in Jordan (Abdullah Ibhais/Human Rights Watch)
Abdullah Ibhais, a Jordanian national and whistleblower in a US case alleging forced labour and human trafficking linked to the 2022 World Cup, was detained in Amman days before he was due to give a deposition in the United States.
Ibhais spent three years in a Doha prison following a 2021 conviction on charges Qatari authorities described as corruption-related, including bribery and damage to public funds. Human rights groups including Amnesty International called his trial "unfair," and campaigners such as FairSquare say Ibhais provided substantial evidence about workers' rights abuses connected to World Cup projects.
Arrest in Jordan
Ibhais's family told The Independent that Jordan's General Intelligence Directorate (GID) detained him at a mosque in Amman in front of his two children. According to the family account, no arrest warrant was presented and lawyers were initially denied access. The family later said authorities released Ibhais.
US Deposition, Visa And Travel Restrictions
Ibhais had received a US visa at the US Embassy in Amman on 6 August 2026 and was subpoenaed by a US District Court in Colorado to give a voluntary deposition on 20 August 2026. His family say his passport was confiscated by Jordanian authorities between May and July 2026, which prevented him from taking part in an earlier virtual deposition scheduled at a US mission in Norway on 30 May 2026.
Abdullah Ibhais spent three years in a Doha jail until his release in March 2025 (Supplied)
Because of the passport seizure, Ibhais was unable to attend an in-person meeting in Washington, D.C., with Representative James McGovern on 17 June 2026. McGovern subsequently renewed his invitation and expressed regret that Jordanian authorities had retained Ibhais's passport.
Allegations Of Pressure
Ibhais's family allege that GID officers previously threatened him with imprisonment if he continued public advocacy about his case or about labour conditions in Qatar. The family also say Ibhais told interrogators that he believed they were acting at Qatar's request — an allegation his interrogators reportedly did not deny.
Security forces are reported to have searched Ibhais's home in May 2026 and attempted to detain him then, but left after receiving a phone call.
Current status: According to family reports and media coverage, Ibhais was detained briefly in Amman and later released; his US deposition remained scheduled for 20 August 2026. The US legal process and related advocacy around worker conditions in Qatar are ongoing.
This case highlights tensions between national security and intelligence practices in the region, the rights of whistleblowers, and ongoing legal efforts in the United States to investigate alleged labour abuses tied to major global events.
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