Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04AMMAN8580
2004-10-17 14:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

ANOTHER PRISON RIOT PRECEDES ABUSE TRIAL

Tags:  PHUM PGOV KMPI JO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS AMMAN 008580 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KMPI JO
SUBJECT: ANOTHER PRISON RIOT PRECEDES ABUSE TRIAL

REF: AMMAN 7959

-------
SUMMARY
-------

UNCLAS AMMAN 008580

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KMPI JO
SUBJECT: ANOTHER PRISON RIOT PRECEDES ABUSE TRIAL

REF: AMMAN 7959

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (U) Another riot at the Al-Juweideh correctional facility
October 6 preceded the opening of the trial of eleven
officers charged in connection with the September 1 death of
an inmate (reftel). Violence erupted a third time at the
prison October 12. End Summary.

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MORE VIOLENCE AT AL-JUWEIDEH
--------------


2. (U) The local press reported another riot at the
Al-Juweideh Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre in Amman
October 6. According to the Jordanian Public Security
Directorate (PSD),three brothers started the disturbance in
reaction to the decision of prison authorities to transfer
one of the inmates to another facility. A PSD official was
quoted as saying the situation was brought under control
within 30 minutes. Witnesses near the facility reported
seeing official vehicles and PSD reinforcements pouring into
the prison.


3. (U) According to press reports, violence again erupted at
the facility October 12 as inmates reacted to the testimony
from their colleagues exonerating the police officers accused
of beating an inmate to death September 1. Prisoners set fire
to their mattresses and dismantled their iron beds to use
them as weapons. Interior Minister Samir Habashneh announced
that iron beds at all correctional facilities would be
replaced with concrete ones. 10 prisoners were reportedly
hospitalized for minor injuries.

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INTERNAL HEARING PRODUCES FRIENDLY WITNESSES
--------------


4. (U) Several inmates, including some that were injured
September 1, testified at an internal PSD court proceeding
that they saw no beatings or abuse by prison authorities
during the September 1 riot. These witnesses claimed the
injured parties "hurt themselves." Two of the beaten inmates
testified that the authorities did all they could to prevent
unnecessary use of force. Prison management claimed that the
fatality was a result of wounds inflicted by other inmates.


5. (SBU) Asem Rababa, an attorney for the quasi-governmental
National Center for Human Rights (NCHR),told PolOff October
14 that the October 12 disturbance occurred for two reasons:
1) prisoners were unhappy with alleged deals between prison
managers and the witnesses to testify on behalf of the
accused, and 2) prison management did not follow through with
promises made to those inmates who testified. Rababa claimed
that the two inmates injured during the September 1 riot and
who provided exonerating testimony were released from custody
a week prior to their appearance in court. Rababa said these
two witnesses came to the NCHR and complained that they had
actually testified against the defendants and were being
misquoted.

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COURTROOM ACCESS LIMITED
--------------


6. (SBU) Rababa attempted to attend the PSD proceedings, but
was turned away. He informed PolOff October 14 that the judge
refused his entry and requested that he receive permission to
attend from the head of the PSD. Rababa then asked the PSD
for authorization but was told that he must request
permission from the judge. Rababa stated that according to
regulations, PSD court proceedings are generally open to the
public unless the presiding judge rules otherwise. No such
ruling has been issued, and Rababa claimed he knew of no
journalists that had access to the proceedings.


7. (SBU) Rababa spoke with lawyers participating in the
hearing and said their general feeling was that the
defendants would be found guilty. Rababa shared this opinion,
but felt that the head of the PSD would reduce the sentences
or prevent their implementation. (The PSD Director has
authority to modify internal court punishments.) According
to Rababa, the three-judge panel and the prosecutor all work
for the PSD.

HALE