‘Amended Penal Code to enforce rule of law’

AMMAN — The Cabinet on Sunday endorsed a new version of the Penal Code, inserting provisions that “would curb crime and enforce” the state’s authority.

At a joint press conference held with Minister of Justice BassamTalhouni, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani said the bill “contributes social tools for correction, opening the way for alternative penalties” instead of prison sentences.

The new version of the code also stiffens punishment for those who attack public servants on duty, especially doctors and teachers, which has been a phenomenon over the past years. 

Talhouni said the changes to the bill entail the cancellation of a clause in Article 308 that allows sexual predators to escape punishment if they marry their victims.

It also addresses other illegal acts such as festive firing, car theft and violations to water and electricity grids, including stealing of these resources, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Other acts have been defined as crimes in the proposed law, such as sport riots and community violence, which take the form of tribal clashes.