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Jordan: Eight Officers Arrested after Death of Detained Man During Investigation | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Jordanian police stand guard during a protest against a government agreement to import natural gas from Israel, in Amman, Jordan, October 14, 2016. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed – RTSS8ZA


Amman- Eight police officers were charged on Sunday with beating to death a young man in custody on Tuesday in Jiza, south of Amman, official sources said.

Raed Amar, 18, was being held at Jiza police station for an alleged theft last week when he died in Badia police custody, allegedly as a result of torture and abuse.

Various charges have reportedly been brought against the eight officers, in addition to the main one, including extracting confessions under pressure, abuse of power and causing intentional harm, said Government’s Human Rights Coordinator Basil Tarawneh.

“We are very content with the outcome of the probe and the charges leveled against the suspects. This is clear proof that no one is above the law and that the state will not tolerate any incidents that involve torture or abuse of detainees,” Tarawneh said in a press statement.

“It also indicates that Jordan is a country which respects the rule of law and protects the dignity and safety of its citizens,” Tarawneh told the press.

Following the teenager’s death, Public Security Department (PSD) Director Maj. Gen. Ahmad Sarhan Faqih ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the incident and identify the officers involved in the questioning and alleged abuse.

“A team of government pathologists had indicated that the victim suffered from several bruises on different parts of his body.”

“We are following up closely on this case and will inform the public about its outcome once we receive the results from the committee that was formed,” Tarawneh stressed.