‘We are there to serve and protect’ — security chiefs

AMMAN — Security personnel have arrested 60 people who violated the law during the protests against the income tax draft law, including eight Arab nationals, Public Security Department (PSD) Director Maj. Gen. Fadel Hmoud said on Monday.

He added that investigation was ongoing with the arrested people, especially with the non-Jordanians to stand at their motives for participating in the protests, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

At a press conference on the latest developments regarding the nationwide protests, Hmoud added that some violators used weapons and fireworks against security agents, resulting in the injury of 42 security agents, noting that some participants were arrested in possession of cold weapons.

He noted that the PSD on Thursday dealt with 45 protests with the participation of 2,500 citizens, while on Friday there were 171 protests that saw the participation of 18,500 people, and on Saturday the figure was 14,500 people who took part in 125 protests. On Sunday night, the protest movement saw the participation of 14,500 protesters.

The police chief pointed out that violations included street closures through parking vehicles, burning tyres or blocking roads with rocks.

Also speaking at the conference, Gendarmerie Director Maj. Gen. Hussein Hawatmeh stressed that security apparatuses are disciplined and only use proportional force when the situation requires that, noting that law violations and abuses are unacceptable and will be dealt with according to the law.

Hmoud and Hawatmeh stressed that Jordan is secure and stable and that security agencies will not spare any efforts to defend the Kingdom and Jordanians and to counter any attempt to tamper with the country’s security.

Safeguarding the peaceful protesters across the nation is the top priority of security apparatuses, which, at the same time, will not hesitate in using force to deal with saboteurs and those trying to damage public and private property, they highlighted. 

In this regard, both security chiefs underscored that the peaceful approach followed by security agents was not a sign of weakness, stressing that security forces can end any chaotic protest in a short time. 

They also pointed out that security departments carry out exceptional efforts while dealing with protests, adding that security personnel’s professionalism enables them to protect protesters as they exercise their freedom of expression.

The press conference included a video that highlighted situations where security agents had to deal with cases of sabotage and attacks on security personnel and vehicles.