Egyptian guest worker dies after alleged assault

AMMAN — Legal action will be taken against an individual who this week allegedly assaulted an Egyptian guest worker who succumbed to his injuries, a source at the Ministry of Labour said on Thursday.

The Egyptian worker Ali Sayed, who was allegedly assaulted by the owner of a vegetable shop in Wadi Al Hajar area after a dispute between the two, died late Wednesday, said the ministry, voicing its regrets over the incident.

Following the incident, the ministry indicated that Prime Minister Hani Mulki issued instructions to provide necessary treatment, the source said, adding that necessary legal measures will be taken in this regard.

The source, who voiced sympathies and condolences to the family of the victim, stressed the ministry’s respect to the Egyptian guest workers in the Kingdom.

“This is an individual incident that does not represent the Jordanian community that condemned the incident,” said the source in a statement sent to The Jordan Times.

In a statement run by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, the Public Security Department said the guest worker was assaulted by the owner of a vegetable store resulting in a fracture of the skull and severe cerebral bleeding.

The PSD said images circulating on social media networks showing the assaulted guest worker have “nothing to do” with the attack that occurred on Friday.

Also Thursday, the Egyptian embassy in Amman issued a statement in which it indicated that it was following up on the incident.

According to the statement, posted on the Facebook page of the Egyptian community in Jordan, the embassy said it will continue coordinating with the Jordanian authorities to ensure that legal action is taken against the assailant and the rights of the guest workers are protected.