Minister to receive inmate contesting his verdict

AMMAN — Government Coordinator for Human Rights Basil Tarawneh on Wednesday said that Minister of Justice Awad Abu Jarad will receive an inmate at his office on Thursday to hear his grievance. 

The justice minister took the decision after learning that the inmate had been on a hunger strike for the past four days “because he wanted to meet with the justice minister in person to discuss his verdict”, Tarawneh told The Jordan Times.

The inmate was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the State Security Court on illicit drug charges, according to Tarawneh, who said “the inmate is not content with the verdict and asked to meet in person with the justice minister to discuss the verdict and demand a retrial.”

The human rights coordinator said the step by the justice minister is “a first of its kind and reflects the government’s policy towards ensuring the human rights of its citizens”.

“What the justice minister is doing reflects an important step towards safeguarding the rights and dignity of our citizens,” Tarawneh stressed.

The inmate has reportedly ended his hunger strike after learning about his upcoming meeting with Abu Jarad, a senior official source said.

“The inmate is listed in good condition and has ended his hunger strike,” the senior official told The Jordan Times.