Jordan indicts 146 Salafists on terror charges

[News_Editor]

Jordan indicts 146 Salafists on terror charges

2011-04-25 00:44:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

AMMAN, JORDAN (BNO NEWS) -- Jordan's State Security Court on Sunday officially charged 146 suspects with terrorism offenses after scores were hurt in clashes with police earlier this month, Arab News reported.

The public prosecutor said the defendants, who belong to Salafist groups, carried out "acts of terrorism" that harmed 83 policemen in the northern city of Zarqa. They were also accused of "conducting riots and provoking sectarian sedition," according to the indictment statement.

The suspects were arrested last week after clashes erupted on April 15 in the city of Zarqa, 30 kilometers (18 miles) east of Amman, during a rally. About 300 Salafists protested at a mosque, demanding the release of about 200 of their comrades who are serving jail terms for their alleged involvement in terror activities.

The ultra-conservative group has been holding rallies to demand the release of the prisoners. Among the detainees is Abu Mohammed al-Maqdessi, the mentor of a slain al-Qaida leader in Iraq.

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