Gov’t, unions condemn Hattar murder

AMMAN – The government and several political parties and unions issued statements condemning the murder of writer and political activist Nahed Hattar on Sunday morning.

Minister of State for Media Affairs and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani described the killing of the writer as a "heinous crime", adding the "killer will receive his punishment to be a lesson to those who could be tempted to commit such an evil crime."

Several parties and unions such as the Islamic Action Front, Jordan Engineers Association, Jordan Press Association and the Centre for Defending the Freedom of Journalists also condemned the shooting death of Hattar, 56. 

According to Al Rai daily, the family of Hattar refused to receive the body of victim, who was transferred to Al Bashir Public Hospital. 

The daily said that the family has blamed the authorities for not offering protection to Hattar as he was receiving death threats, indicating that the Hattar family had handed a list of nearly 200 names to Amman governor claiming they threatened to kill him but the governor ignored it.

Hattar was facing trial over charges of publishing a cartoon deemed offensive to religious belief.