Jordanian parties condemn protest attack

Jordanian security officials have been condemned by opposition political movements for attacking a pro-reform demonstration in the northern city of Irbid, on Friday. The National Front for Reform, headed by former Prime Minister Ahmad Obeidat, issued a statement condemning what it described as "premeditated violence" against the peaceful protest, while the Islamic Action Front, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan also condemned the attack. In a statement issued on Friday evening, National Front for Reform claimed that demonstrators had been subjected to "crushing, severe beatings, and the use of sharp tools and tear gas." The statement added that several prominent Jordanian politicians were part of the gathering, and that the rally had been attacked despite an agreement being in place. The National Front for Reform vowed to continue its fight against corruption in the country, and said the government cannot claim the protesters right to peaceful demonstrations. Eleven people, including leader of the Jordanian Labour Front, Ahmed Koufahi and former MP Ahmad Atum, were injured after police attacked a pro-reform demonstration in Irbid. Witnesses said that police had used tear gas to disperse the anti-government demonstrators calling for political and economic reforms. The demonstration, organised by Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood and other opposition groups, was attended by thousands of protesters. Activists claimed that they tried to access the Wasfi al-Tal roundabout in Irbid, but security forces prevented them from doing so, claiming that a counter, pro-government demonstration had also been organised in the region. The demonstrators chanted slogans attacking the policies of Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, witnesses said. Youth and popular pro-reform movements issued a statement on Friday calling on Jordanians to take part in a sit-in on Saturday at 1800 hrs in front of the Prime Ministry headquarters in Amman, to protest against the security officials' heavy-handed tactics. The statement accused the Jordanian regime of "delving into a project against the aspirations of Jordanians for freedom and dignity," adding that the regime "revealed its official patronage of corruption, protecting corrupt officials, and patronage of thuggery against peaceful protesters." The Jordanian Teachers' Union criticised the authorities for arresting Professor Nasr Okour, a senior member of the union, claiming that he had suffered a broken leg during the attack. Vice-head of the union, Hossam Msha issued a statement on Friday evening in which he denounced the attack on participants in a peaceful march, explaining that the expression of opinion is the right of every citizen, and is guaranteed by the Jordanian Constitution. He confirmed that he had spoken to Interior Minister Hussein Majali about Okour and had been promised that the professor would be released after the necessary medical procedures have been carried out. The Information Office of the Public Security Directorate of Jordan, issued a statement on Friday afternoon saying: "A force from Irbid Police Directorate dispersed two counter-demonstrations that clashed near the roundabout of Wasfi al-Tal in the city of Irbid." The media department added that one of the rallies began from a mosque in Irbid and headed towards Wasfi al-Tal roundabout, demanding political reforms, whilst the counter-demonstration also began from the same place. The government office confirmed that security forces had formed a barrier to prevent clashes between the participants in the two protests, but the sheer anger among the activists forced the security forces to use tear gas and disperse the marches. "It [the decision to use tear gas] left 11 people injured, including six security men. One participant was arrested for throwing a gas bomb at the public security force and police," the statement concluded.