Demonstration in Jordan Protests in Jordan over hiked fuel prices became less intense on Thursday. A cautious atmosphere prevailed after three police stations were attacked and a young man was killed in the city of Irbid 100 kilometres north of Baghdad which resulted in serious injuries to Jordanian policeman.
The family of the young man, Qais Taysseer al-Imary, who was killed on Wednesday evening, refused to receive their son’s body and demanded an independent investigation into his death.
Sources close to the family said that efforts are being made to persuade them to take delivery of the corpse in order to bury it after Friday prayers.
A statement by the Public Security Force said that al-Imary was killed in an armed attack on al-Wasseita police station in Irbid province during an attempt to breach the station.
The young man was killed in the attack, three of the attackers were injured and 12 security forces were injured.
Popular and youth movements as well as political parties have called for a sit-in at 7 o’clock Thursday evening outside the Ministry of Interior building in protest against the government decision to raise fuel prices.
Police forces had banned a similar setting on Wednesday evening after the Security Directorate declares the perimeter of the ministry headquarters a “closed zone” to pedestrians and traffic. The police also used teargas to disperse activists who tried to reach the headquarters from different routes.
Protests took place in al-Karak province wherein participants attacked and tried to loot a number of banks as well as government-owned military and civilian retail establishments. A number of roads were also blocked.
The local education authority was also attacked and a vehicle parked outside was set on fire. A policeman suffered a gunshot wound and was taken to hospital for treatment after a attackers show at the Mazar court.
Disorderly conduct also took place in the al-Balqa province, the statement said, during which the town hall and communication authority’s buildings was attacked in addition to a number of banks and government-owned civilian retail shops. A number of roads were also blocked using burning tyres and some protestors set fire to parts of the electric company buildings.
Shots were fired at the courts from the morning march in the city of Maan. Protestors also tried to break into the courts. One policeman was shot in the chest and is in serious condition.
In Irbid province, a group of people burnt parts of a government building in the al-Tayba area. Stones were thrown at the police station and local civil defence centre as some protestors went on to Dawar Wasfi al-Tal in downtown Irbid City.
Attacks also occurred in al-Suraih area by a group of outlaws against a licensing building. Stones were thrown and guns were fired at the building and several roads were blocked in some parts of the province.
Limited acts of violence and assaults on public property took place in the Saal area.