Families of Detained Activists Protest Detention, Trial, Abuse of Prisoners
28-11-2012 12:00 AM
Ammon News - By Mohammad Abu Hmaed
AMMONNEWS - Families of activists detained during the recent wave of protests throughout the kingdom sent a memo to Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Tuesday calling for the immediate release of prisoners.
The families protested Tuesday afternoon at the Fourth Circle near the prime ministry headquarters and raised placards calling for the release of detainees.
In a letter to Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, the families rejected the trial of the detainees by the State Security Court, Jordan's military tribunal.
The letter included information provided by the National Center for Human Rights in regards to the detainees, including that 67 citizens were arrested from their homes or places of work, 66 detainees suffered abuse and mistreatment during arrest, 22 were not extended fair trial rights during investigation, 38 were referred to forensic doctors and were refused to appoint lawyers on their behalves.
50 minors under the age of 18 were also arrested during the latest wave of protests two weeks ago, 12 of them were being tried before the State Security Court.
The recent wave of protests and violent riots erupted in the kingdom two weeks ago in reaction to the government's decision to lift subsidies on fuel derivatives, causing a major hike in prices.