Jordan Times
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Jordan's Ambassador to Israel visits Jordanian prisoners
AMMAN (JT) — The Kingdom's ambassador to Israel, Marouf Bakhit, on Wednesday visited Jordanian security prisoners sentenced for long terms in a northern Tel Aviv jail.
Bakhit told the prisoners that they top the
priorities of His Majesty King Abdullah and the government, which is in constant
talks with Israeli officials on the issue, the Jordan News Agency, Petra,
reported. Bakhit said there were “progress and positive indications” concerning
their situation. Jordan reinstated its ambassador to Israel last month after the
Sharm El Sheikh summit. The prisoners said they appreciate the government's
efforts to release them. Sultan Ajlouni, one of the detainees, “voluntarily”
ended his hunger strike, which he started last Wednesday.
He said he wanted to express his appreciation for the government, according to
Petra.
Bakhit is expected to discuss the issue of the prisoners with Israeli officials
today.
Around 25 Jordanian prisoners — including four who were sentenced to life before
the 1994 peace treaty — last week began the strike in protest against “physical
and psychological abuse by their jailers,” according to news reports.
Israeli officials on Sunday said their country may release the prisoners after
Foreign Minister Hani Mulki concluded his visit to the Jewish state.