Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit phoned columnist Muwaffaq Mahaddin to check on his health after the latter was beaten during clashes at a protest demanding reforms that took place on Friday afternoon in downtown Amman.

Mahaddin's son was also admitted to the hospital with a suspected concussion after a group of thugs stormed into the protest and hauled their metal batons and wooden sticks beating peaceful protestors.

Bakhit stressed during the phone call his condemnation of all types of violence or behavior that aims to obstruct people's right to peaceful free expression.

Bakhit added that the demands called for during the protest are in line with the government's efforts and endeavors to accomplish political, economic, and social reform.

The PM directed Amman Governor Sameer Mubaydeen to visit the columnist and his son, and work forward on measures to investigate the incident, Jordan official news agency Petra reported.

Columnists in Saturday's edition of local daily newspapers held the Public Security Directorate accountable for not protecting the protestors while they were being attacked.

* Photo of Muwaffaq Mahhadin following the attacks, from Al Arab Al Yawm daily.