Five arrested for attacking traffic officer, their tribe apologises

AMMAN — Authorities on Wednesday arrested five people, who allegedly assaulted a traffic police officer, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

In a statement carried by Petra, the Public Security Department (PSD) said that as a result of the investigation into the assault against the officer while on duty, five people were taken into custody, while the arrest of a sixth suspect was delayed because he was at hospital.

The five suspects were held in custody by the general prosecutor and the governor in two rehabilitation and correctional centres.

The suspects will be released on bail, according to Petra.

The officer was reportedly writing tickets for cars taking part in a wedding procession, as they pulled over on a main street and blocked traffic. 

A video that went viral on the Internet purportedly shows the suspects knocking down the officer over a roadside concrete fence.

In the statement, the PSD stressed that it would protect its personnel against any assault while on duty and will enforce the law indiscriminately to all.

The statement echoed remarks by senior officials.

For their part, the Louzi tribe, to which the suspects belong, expressed its condemnation and apology over the assault, stressing that it will not “provide any tribal or social coverage” to the offenders, according to Petra.

“As the suspects are in the grip of the authorities, we reiterate our commitment to respecting the rule of law”, said the tribe.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Omar Razzaz visited the victim at the King Hussein Medical Centre and vowed to bring assailants to justice. 

The issue grabbed public attention due to the fact that the traffic man was only doing his duty and was attacked fiercely by men belonging to the influential tribe. 

Razzaz said that respect for security personnel is part of the respect for the state, stressing the government’s determination to ensure such respect and enforce the law “indiscriminately, firmly and justly”.

He said that even if the victim drops charges (a likely development if a tribal reconciliation is reached), the people’s rights will not be waived.