Final suspect in Theeban shooting released on bail — court

AMMAN — The Criminal Court on Thursday released on bail the third and final suspect in the Theeban riots and shooting that left three gendarmes injured, a court official said. 

“We decided after examining the case file to release the suspect on bail,” Criminal Court President Awad Abu Jarad told The Jordan Times.

The judge added that Thursday’s decision was subject to appeal at a higher court.

The court had released two suspects, also being questioned by the Criminal Court prosecutor, earlier this month.

The charges against the three include attempted murder, resisting arrest, firing live ammunition in the air and treason.

The Madaba prosecutor had referred the three suspects to the Criminal Court’s prosecutors because he decided the case was not within his jurisdiction.

The suspects were arrested shortly after the June 22 riots in Theeban.

Riots erupted in Theeban District in Madaba Governorate, 70km southwest of Amman, when gendarmerie forces removed a tent for protesters, mostly unemployed, who were demanding jobs from the government.

The government said it removed the tent because the protesters’ initial demands for employment turned political when they invited individuals who had previously taken part in protests against the state.

The forces used tear gas to disperse the protest after rioters allegedly threw rocks at public property, set tyres ablaze and fired live ammunition from automatic weapons at the troops.

The government also announced that it had reached a deal with the protesters by securing jobs for the unemployed in the private sector. In return, the protesters pledged to end their nightly sit-ins in downtown Theeban.

Some Theeban residents continued to protest over the past two weeks demanding the release of the third suspect.