Two protesters killed in Jordan clashes

Two protesters killed in Jordan clashes

2011-03-26 21:59:30 GMT+7 (ICT)

AMMAN (BNO NEWS) -- Two protesters were killed and over 100 were injured on Friday when Jordanian security forces intervened to end a clash between pro-monarchy and pro-reform protesters in the capital's Gamal Abdul Nasser Square, Ammon News reported.

Khairi Jamil Saad, 55, was pronounced dead upon arriving at the government-run Prince Hamzeh Hospital in Amman, along with another protester. Saad's family, however, refused to receive the deceased's body because the medical report stated the cause of death as "a stroke."

The victim was protesting in support of the "March 24 Youth Movement," which is demanding political reforms, when he was allegedly beaten by police. Chief of the Public Security Directorate Hussein Majali said that Saad had been one of the demonstrators at the pro-monarchy march and said that a post-mortem medical report indicated that the body had no signs of bruises or injuries. He confirmed the cause of death to be a "chest stroke."

According to Ammon News, security forces used tear gas, water cannons, and metal batons to disperse protesters. Another group of demonstrators, describing themselves as "loyalists," chanted slogans in support of King Abdullah II and hurled rocks at the protestors, causing many injuries.

Meanwhile, 16 members of the newly established National Dialogue Committee announced their resignation in protest of the violent attacks on peaceful protestors.

"What took place on Friday are not clashes between loyalist demonstrators and Youth from the 24 March movement, but rather an organized violent act by the state's authorities," the members said in a statement issued Friday night.

Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit blamed the Muslim Brotherhood for the clashes and accused the group of creating chaos in the country.

Jordan's King Abdullah II approved a new 27-member cabinet early February after protesters called for the resignation of then-current prime minister Samir Rifai and his government. The previous government was blamed for price hikes, excessive taxation, unemployment, and difficult economic conditions.

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