Street vendor jailed after argument ends in stabbing

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a June Criminal Court ruling, sentencing a man to eight years in prison after convicting him of attempting to murder a street vendor in July 2021.

The Criminal Court declared the defendant, who is also a street vendor, guilty of attempted murder that stemmed from “a heated dispute” with the victim on July 21. The defendant was given the maximum sentence.

Court papers said the defendant was stationed near the victim’s business, and the two engaged in a “heated” argument.

"The defendant drew a sharp object and stabbed the victim in the stomach, causing a severe injury,” the court documents said.

The victim fell unconscious, the court maintained, while the defendant fled from the area.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital and survived the stabbing incident after undergoing surgery, the court papers added.

The defendant contested his ruling via his lawyer, arguing that there were “legal errors in the investigation procedures”.

The Criminal Court’s attorney general asked the higher court to uphold the eight-year sentence.

The higher court ruled that the Criminal Court proceedings were accurate, and that the defendant was given the appropriate punishment.

The Cassation Court bench comprised judges Mohammad Ibrahim, Majid Azab, Hayel Amr, Fawzi Nahar and Mohammad Shareiri.