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Ammon News - by Zain Khasawneh | The Jordan Times


AMMAN — Police on Monday arrested a group of young people suspected in attacking families of Jordanian prisoners on hunger strike in Israel during an open-ended sit-in near the Royal Court on Sunday, according to activists.

A statement issued by the media team supporting Jordanian prisoners in Israel (Fedaa), said the police arrested several youths a day after the attack and that an investigation into the incident was ongoing.

No further details were available.

The families of Jordanian prisoners began an open-ended sit-in outside the Royal Court on Monday in an attempt to gain officials’ attention to the plight of their relatives, some of whom have been on a hunger strike behind bars since early May.

Unidentified people attacked the peaceful protesters outside the Royal Court on Sunday evening, injuring the elderly father of Abdullah Barghouthi, who is serving 67 consecutive life sentences in an Israeli prison.

Fedaa spokesperson Shereen Nafe told The Jordan Times that the families are undeterred by the attacks and returned to the Royal Court on Monday afternoon, adding that they will continue their protest until authorities pledge to help their relatives.

Four of the eight prisoners on hunger strike in Israel are in deteriorating health and have been hospitalised, Nafe said.

Last week prisoners Barghouthi and Muneer Merei refrained from drinking water in court hearings to pressure the Jordanian embassy to meet with the striking prisoners and listen to their demands, which include better healthcare and more family visits.

No officials were available to comment on the attack or the conditions of the prisoners.