Jordan releases 8 Salafi Jihadists and Abu Issa apologizes

Jordanian State Security Court decided, Wednesday, to release the arrested suspects from Salafi Jihadists in the Zarqa incidents last April. The released 8 Salafis are Abdel Nasser al-Khamaisa, Ayman Abu Malal al-Balwi, Hassan Mohamed Ibrahim, Amer Mohamed al-Khalaila, Mohamed Ismail Gadallah, Bilal al-Khalaila, Jawad Shihada, and Farid al-Haj Khalil. On a different point, young Jordanian political activist Uday Abu Issa offered his apology to the Jordan’s King and the Jordanian people for setting King Abdullah’s picture ablaze in front of the Municipal wall of Madaba, south Amman, on January 11. Abu Issa’s lawyer, Youssef al-Hamid, stated that his client, who is currently held in solitary confinement at a prison south of the country, expressed deep regret for his “impulsive” action. Al-Hamid cited Abu Issa saying that he had burned the picture because he was upset over the death of a municipal worker, Ahmad Matarneh, who set himself on fire after his contract was terminated. According to his lawyer, Abu Issa stressed on his admiration of the Jordanian Monarch, saying that he did not mean to undermine him or spark seditions. His lawyer conveyed that Abu Issa was beaten at the Madaba Police Station, but that he is well-treated at prison. The prosecution had previously decided to hold Abu Issa for 15 days in custody, on charges of undermining the King’s dignity.