Mulki condemns assaults against public servants, officials

AMMAN — Prime Minister Hani Mulki on Thursday said that it is the country’s duty to protect all its citizens, referring to recent assaults against public servants and senior employees, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Mulki made his remarks during visits to the Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTVC) and to the Income and Sales Tax Department (ISTD). 

During the visits, Mulki met with JRTVC Board Chairman George Hawatmeh and ISTD Director General Bashar Nasser, highlighting how “shameful” it was that they were beaten by employees for taking administrative decisions.

Mulki said the assaults are crimes and that those responsible will be punished in accordance with the law. 

Hawatmeh was assaulted by an employee of the JRTVC because his job title was changed from “TV presenter” to “reporter”, his previous position, Petra reported, adding that Hawatmeh was hospitalised after the attack. 

The ISTD director general was assaulted by a worker that he transferred from a branch in Jabal Al Hussein to the headquarters in Jabal Amman.  

Mulki said such assaults are rejected by Jordanians and that they demean the dignity of the assailant rather than the targeted official or public servant. 

The JRTVC board also condemned the attack on Hawatmeh.

The board said on Thursday that the attack violates journalists’ code of ethics and commended Mulki’s visit and remarks. 

The Cabinet in April endorsed a new version of the Penal Code, inserting provisions that “would curb crime and enforce” the state’s authority.

The new version of the code also stiffens punishment for those who attack public servants on duty, especially doctors and teachers.

The draft law also stipulates jail terms of no less than six months for those who assault or threaten public sector employees with a weapon while they are on duty or in relation to their professional capacity.