Jordan’s King Abdullah II reaffirmed that violence against the state, vandalism of public property, and violating Jordanians’ rights would be dealt with firmly, stressing that assaults and acts of vandalism were dangerous threats to national security and would not be tolerated.
The King, accompanied by Prince El-Hassan bin Talal, attended on Friday martyr Colonel Abdul-Razzaq al-Dalabeh's funeral in Jerash to offer condolences.
Dalabeh was killed, on Thursday night, in a gunshot wound to the head while dealing with riots in the Husseiniya area of Maan Governorate.
The King expressed his deepest sympathies and condolences to Dalabeh’s family, describing him as the son of all Jordanians.
“We will not rest until the criminal is brought to justice,” he said.
“We will not tolerate violence against our security personnel, who work day and night to protect Jordan and Jordanians,” the King stressed.
He acknowledged Jordanians’ difficult economic conditions and their right to peaceful self-expression in line with the law, highlighting that state institutions will take all measures to hold outlaws to account.
The government spokesman, Minister Faisal Shboul, said that the incident represented a display of arms in the face of the state, which required enforcing the law.
Shboul pointed out that the cybercrime unit detected several videos to incite violence and killing, asserting that it will be faced with law.
Interior Minister Mazen Faraya confirmed that King Abdullah directed all relevant technical, intelligence, and operational agencies to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
During a press conference, Faraya affirmed that the government respects the peaceful freedom of expression, a right granted by law and the constitution, noting that the protests deviated from the peaceful path.
He said the protests’ demands had been addressed, stressing that the strike resulted in a suspension of supplies in several vital facilities, a matter that the government would not allow to continue.
The minister asserted that the security forces aimed to maintain security and stability in the country.
Jordan witnessed several protests after the fuel price hike and the truck drivers’ strike disrupted transportation in the country.
Faraya stressed that the security services would use reasonable force to deal with any manifestation of lawlessness.
Director of Public Security Directorate Major General Obaidullah al-Maaytah revealed that 49 soldiers were injured during the riots and 70 vehicles were destroyed.
Maaytah highlighted that the security forces would spare no effort and hit with an iron fist all who attempt to tamper with homeland security, pointing out that acts of inciting violence over social media have been detected and legal measures will follow.
The Public Security Directorate, with the participation of thousands of citizens, buried the body of the Colonel in the town of al-Kafir, Jerash Governorate.
