Two Theeban protesters released on bail — court

AMMAN — Two men suspected of shooting at gendarmes during riots in Theeban were released on bail on Sunday, while a third suspect remains in custody, a court official said. 

“We examined the preliminary events and charges, and concluded that two of the three suspects could be released on bail,” Criminal Court President Awad Abu Jarad told The Jordan Times.

Abu Jarad added that the third suspect’s charges require that “we keep him incarcerated until the investigation is over”, adding that Sunday’s decision by the is subject to appeal at a higher court.

“The prosecution is still examining the case, questioning witnesses and reviewing evidence, and based on the process, the suspects could be either tried or all released,” Abu Jarad explained.

The charges against the three include attempted murder, resisting arrest, firing live ammunition in the air and treason.

The Madaba prosecutor had referred the three suspects to the Criminal Court because he decided the case was not within his jurisdiction. 

The suspects were arrested shortly after the June 22 riots in Theeban in which three gendarmes were reportedly injured by bullets fired from machineguns.

Riots erupted in Theeban District in Madaba Governorate, 70km southwest of Amman, when gendarmerie forces removed a tent for protesters, mostly unemployed, who were demanding jobs from the government.

The government then said it removed the tent because the protesters’ initial demands for employment became political when they invited individuals who had previously taken part in protests against the state.

The forces used tear gas to disperse the protest after rioters allegedly threw rocks at public property, set tyres ablaze and fired live ammunition from automatic weapons at the troops.

Police rounded up 20 suspects, released 17 and kept three men in custody on suspicion of shooting at gendarmerie forces.

The government also announced that it had reached a deal with the protesters by securing jobs for the unemployed in the private sector. In return, the protesters pledged to end their nightly sit-ins in downtown Theeban.

Some Theeban residents erected a tent last Wednesday demanding the release of the three suspects and claimed that the government did not fulfil its promises to secure them jobs.

Gendarmerie forces were deployed again to the town and the tent was removed.

A senior government official stressed last week that “no one is above the law and we will not allow anyone to attack our forces, who are risking their lives to serve and protect”.