Jordanian Embassy Won't Intervene in University of Iowa Case

University of Iowa Radiology Professor Malik Juweid poses for a picture in his home in Coralville, Iowa on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011. A university lawyer threatened to release damaging personnel information about him unless he agreed to resign and drop his claims by Friday. (AP Photo/Ryan J. Foley)

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By Rachel Begle

Story Created: Jan 10, 2013 at 7:13 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 10, 2013 at 7:44 AM CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - A spokeswoman for the Jordanian embassy in Washington says it's unfortunate that charges have been filed against two University of Iowa administrators by a fired professor but diplomats won't interfere with the case.

Dana Daoud confirmed Wednesday that the embassy was involved in attempting to notify associate medical school dean Lois Geist and former dean Paul Rothman that they are facing charges in Amman based on allegations from fired professor Malik Juweid.

Juweid, a Jordan native, claims he received a threatening phone call from Geist. The university denies the charges and calls them part of a harassment campaign by Juweid, who was fired in August.

Daoud says the embassy won't take sides in the "very unfortunate" dispute and it'll be up to court officials to determine how to handle it.