(Times of Oman) Prisoners loyal to al-Qaeda took a prison chief and six policemen hostage Wednesday during riots at three Jordanian jails to stop the transfer of inmates convicted for killing a U.S. diplomat, but released their hostages after receiving promises they would not be punished. The three prisons are among eight jails holding more than 6,000 common criminals and political prisoners, many of whom belong to al-Qaeda and have been sentenced for attacks against Israeli, American, and other Western targets. Among the prisoners is Azmi Jayousi, a Jordanian aide to Zarqawi, who was sentenced to death last month over his leading role in plotting chemical attacks in 2004.
2006-03-02 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive