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AMMAN — One man died and six people were injured during the arrest of a suspect in connection with the alleged vandalism of an Islamic cemetery in Sama town, the Public Security Department (PSD) said in a statement released Saturday.

Five of the injured people are PSD officers, with two in critical condition, the statement said. The PSD officers faced resistance from the suspect while attempting to arrest him, with relatives firing shots and using “sharp tools» against the police, the statement added.

The wanted suspect was arrested along with one of his siblings, and was found in possession of a “sword».

One sibling was killed in the shootout and another was injured, the statement said, adding that an investigation committee is looking into the incident.

AMMAN – Minister of Culture Lana Mamkegh is heading a Jordanian delegation participating in “Jordan’s Cultural Days” in Armenia, which will kick off Saturday, according to a ministry’s statement.

The weeklong event is the fruit of an agreement signed previously by the two countries.

Mamkegh was quoted in the statement as saying that during a visit she paid to Armenia two months ago, her Armenian counterpart, Hasmik Poghosyan, expressed her country’s wish to host Jordanian cultural presentations in her country.

Jordan will showcase performances by Ramtha Folklore Dance Group, a traditional fashion show by designer Hana Murad Mahani, two photo exhibition featuring Jordan’s history, nature and culture by Zohrab and Jihad Jbara and five Jordanian films that have received international applause.

The minister described the visit as “a significant step to enhance the deep-rooted cultural ties with Armenia, especially in light of the contributions of Jordanians of Armenian origin to Jordan’s cultural landscape”.

AMMAN — HH Prince Zeid, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that "the escalating tensions [at Al Aqsa] indicate a general sense of growing frustration and despair resulting from the situation of prolonged occupation," according to a press statement published on the website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Thursday.

Prince Zeid added that the current situation is "exacerbated by recent restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities on Palestinian worshippers wishing to access Al Aqsa compound, the ongoing settlement expansion and settler violence, and a general lack of accountability in cases such as the Duma arson attack."

The prince said that calm can only be restored on the basis of respect for human rights.

“More bloodshed will only lead to more hatred on both sides, and offer no solution in the long run,” he warned. 

At least 134 Palestinians have reportedly been injured by live ammunition in the context of clashes with Israeli forces since September 28. Hundreds more have been injured by tear gas inhalation and rubber bullets.

According to the statement, the prince said he fully supports the UN Secretary General’s call for urgent action on both sides to stop any further escalation, and further stressed the need to ensure that Israeli troops comply with international standards on use of force.

AMMAN — The Muslim Council of Elders on Thursday issued a statement from Amman, condemning the Israeli practices aimed at changing the character of East Jerusalem and reality in its holy shrines.

They cited the Israeli excavations under Al Haram Al Sharif/Al Aqsa Mosque compound, driven by the “myth of the temple”.

Following a meeting attended by HRH Prince Ghazi, the King’s personal envoy and adviser for religious and cultural affairs, the Elders slammed Israel for the attacks carried out by occupation troops targeting the sanctuary as well as its plans to divide Al Aqsa, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

In the statement, the council said it is following up on the recent events that took place in Jerusalem, mainly the recurrent acts of aggression by the Israelis at Al Aqsa, especially those taking place since August 23, 2015.

The attacks are a clear violation of human and religious values, as well as a violation of the international law, the statement said. 

The council said it views the assaults as part of Israel’s old “Judaisation plan”, adding that such a scheme has become increasingly clear in light of the measures taken by the occupation state, such as seizing lands and property in the holy city to establish a new geopolitical reality there.

Furthermore, building Jewish settlements, evacuating Palestinians and triggering turbulence in Jerusalem are all part of the Judaisation plan, aimed at making Jewish settlers outnumber Palestinian residents in the holy city.

Therefore, the Muslim Council of Elders condemned the recurrent Israeli attacks, adding that Al Aqsa Mosque is not sharable or divisible under any circumstances. 

The council urged the international community and UN organisations to stop the Judaisation attempts of Jerusalem that aim to obliterate its Islamic and Christian character and expel Muslim and Christian residents from the city.

Moreover, the council called for all Muslims to focus on the Jerusalem cause and work on saving Al Aqsa Mosque, in order to end the barbaric Israeli assaults and destruction. 

After the meeting, Chairman of the Assembly of Muslims and the Fatwa Committee in Nigeria Sheikh Ibrahim Saleh Al Hussaini told Petra that Muslim problems in Palestine are not only the problems of the Arab nations but also  they concern all Muslims. 

The council comprises Muslim scholars, experts and dignitaries known for their being a voice of reason, sense of justice, independence and moderation, working together to promote peace, discourage infighting and address sources of conflict, divisiveness and fragmentation within Muslim communities.

AMMAN – FIFA Ethics Committee on Thursday banned Sepp Blatter and two other candidates to replace him. Local experts believe the suspension would boost the chances of HRH Prince Ali in his bid to take over as leader of the football governing body.

Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini were both suspended for 90 days, while South Korean presidential candidate Chung Mong-joon was banned for six years in a separate case. FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke was also banned for 90 days (see story page 16).

The suspensions can be extended by up to 45 days. 

Prince Ali, Platini and Chung have always been described by international media as the most favoured to replace Blatter in the emergency election in February 26.

Candidates with nominations from five national football associations must officially register their declarations with FIFA by October 26, according to Reuters.

Amjad Majali, director of the sports department at Al Rai daily, said the corruption scandals that have engulfed FIFA and the latest suspensions give a boost to the credibility of Prince Ali’s bid to save the game and prove he is the right candidate for the presidency. 

"Prince Ali has always warned against corruption in FIFA.  He is the one who talked about the need for genuine reforms," Majali told The Jordan Times following the announcement of the suspensions by the ethics panel. 

Describing Thursday’s suspension decisions against three prominent football figures as an "earthquake" that shook the beauty of the game, Taiseer Omeiri, Al Ghad's sports department editor, said chances of Prince Ali to win FIFA presidency elections are "much higher now".  

“Football federations across the world should realise that their votes should go to the one who wants a brighter image for the game. Prince Ali is the one,” he added.

Issa Turk, a coach and former footballer, agreed that Prince Ali chances have received a boost following the suspensions. 

“As someone involved in football for decades, I am so sad that the image of football has been ruined like this. FIFA needs a person like Prince Ali to build up a better image and restore its reputation,” Turk added. 

HRH Prince Ali decided last month to run again for next year’s FIFA presidency elections, stressing that he was the only person who had the courage to challenge Blatter in May 29 of this year.

In an analysis following FIFA ethics panel rulings, Reuters said if Platini would not be able to overturn his ban and join the election race, it would leave Prince Ali as the clear favourite for the top position. 

AMMAN — Senate President Abdur-Ra’uf S. Rawabdeh on Thursday received a copy of the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) annual report for 2014 from ACC President Abed Kharabsheh. 

At his meeting with the ACC president, Rawabdeh lauded the commission’s efforts, stressing the Senate’s support for the ACC. 

The ACC’s 2014 report shows that the commission responded to 1,155 complaints and pieces of news in 2014, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

The body’s information and investigation department dealt with 151 cases, of which 17 cases were referred to the prosecutor general. 

In cooperation with concerned parties, the ACC managed to retrieve around JD17 million. It also retrieved 65 dunums of land valued at JD825,000 in the Aqaba Economic Zone Authority.  

The report noted that courts looked into with 56 cases, including some from previous years, resulting in 79 verdicts, Petra said.  

The report also highlighted an immunity regulation under which those who file complaints, witnesses, investigators and experts in corruption cases are protected. 

The ACC was established by a Royal Decree to strengthen confidence in state institutions and provide justice to all citizens. 

The commission also aims at promoting equal opportunities and fairness in the distribution of development gains through a national strategy to combat corruption and boost institutional capacity to prevent, detect and investigate all issues associated with it, according to its website.

AMMAN — Police on Thursday announced the arrest of a man who allegedly raped and murdered a child nearly 25 years ago in Zarqa.

“The case was solved when witnesses were able to identify a man with a previous criminal record from photos after investigators re-opened the case,” Police Spokesperson Lt. Col. Amer Sartawi said.

Twenty five years ago, a nine-year-old child was found strangled and sexually assaulted in one of the deserted houses in the Hussein neighbourhood of Zarqa, according to a statement by the Public Security Department (PSD).

The police official told The Jordan Times that the witnesses were brought in to view a police lineup from which they were able to pin point the suspect.

The witnesses testified to seeing him “very close to the crime scene in 1991”, according to the police official.

The police official added that, upon questioning, the “suspect confessed to committing the rape and the murder”.

PSD Director Maj. Gen. Atef Saudi had previously directed all police departments to reopen unsolved murder cases, according to the statement.

A judicial source told The Jordan Times on Thursday that Criminal Court Prosecutor Ahmad Kanani “will start questioning the suspect later in the day to dig for more information the incident”.

AMMAN — The brothers of a Jordanian MP who reportedly assaulted an Egyptian restaurant worker in Aqaba last week were released on bail on Thursday pending a settlement with the victim, a source told The Jordan Times. 

“The case will soon come to a close as an initial settlement was reached between the two parties and charges will be dropped early next week,” the source said.

The alleged assault was captured on video last Friday and went viral on social media, showing lawmaker Zeid Shawabkeh purportedly talking to an Egyptian worker, later identified as waiter Khaled Yamani, at Lebnani Snack restaurant in the port city. As he was speaking to the 36-year-old worker, his brother slapped the guest worker across the face.

The footage then shows the MP’s brother allegedly pushing Yamani to the ground and, with the help of two others, beating him up.

Mohammad Theeb Barakeh, the lawyer representing the victim and the fast-food restaurant, filed a lawsuit against the MP and the people accompanying him with an Aqaba court on charges of libel, slander and intimidation in addition to assault. 

The Jordan News Agency, Petra, quoted a source at the Ministry of Interior as saying on Monday “the Jordanian government does not allow anyone to be above the law regardless of the individual or his/her background”. 

AMMAN — Matthew S. Lee, representative of Taiwan’s commercial office in Amman, recently stressed the country’s eagerness to boost ties with Jordan, noting that Taiwan is one of the top 10 countries providing humanitarian aid to the Kingdom.

In a celebration marking Taiwan’s 104th National Day earlier this week, the diplomat commended Jordan’s efforts to accommodate the influx of Syrian refugees. 

“The world should know Jordan as a country that has always opened its doors to those in crisis throughout its history, including the latest chapter of hosting more than 1.4 million Syrian refugees, who now constitute 20 per cent of its population,” said the Taiwanese official.

He noted that Taiwan has donated $10 million to provide food, clothes, prefabricated homes, educational facilities, scholarships, medical equipment, LED solar lights, well rehabilitation, and psychotherapy for refugees and Jordanians in need.

Referring to His Majesty’s speech at the 70th UN General Assembly  last Monday, in which the King requested support from the international community to face an  “unprecedented humanitarian crisis”, Lee said Taiwan will continue to invest in humanitarian relief for the refugees.

AMMAN — The Spanish embassy and Instituto Cervantes in Amman are hosting a photo exhibition of works by the renowned Spanish photographer, Javier Abella.

Titled “Other Realities: The Alhambra”, the exhibition’s launch took place on Wednesday at Cervantes Institute, under the patronage of Spanish Ambassador to Jordan, Santiago Cabanas Ansorena.  

Twenty-one photos featuring other realities about Alhambra, Spain, are on display at the exhibition, which will run until the November 5, 2015.  

The exhibition is based on a book written by Abella under the same title “Other realities: La Alhambra”. The book will be available for the exhibition’s visitors to review during the display period.

During his stay in Jordan from October 4-18, Abella will take photos of different sites throughout the country, a statement by organisers said. 

Abella was born in Madrid in 1971. He is one of the most creative artists in the field of urban photography, according to the statement. He began his career in the field of advertising and in the late 90s he entered the world of artistic photography. He studied photography at Madrid’s prestigious School of Photography and Cinema EFTI.

His works have been displayed in contemporary art fairs like Estampa Madrid and Puro Arte in Vigo. Abella has also held solo exhibitions in centres such as the AC Gallery of Contemporary Art.

The statement added that Abella’s style developed progressively, leading to a special style of his own that features photographs in negative. 

“The real motives derive into beautiful abstractions through an amazing chromatic transformation. ‘Other Realities’ is the result of this new approach, which combines image and architecture focusing on an intense black colour as a protagonist.