Jordan Times
Tuesday, July 5, 2005
Syrian security forces
arrest Jordanian fugitive
By Rana Husseini with agency dispatches
AMMAN — Syrian security forces on Monday
announced the arrest of a Jordanian fugitive wanted in the Kingdom on charges of
murder, armed robbery and theft, Jordanian official sources said.
Sharif Smadi was captured following a shootout between Syrian forces and wanted
suspects, which led to the arrest of two “terrorists” and the death of a
security officer, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported yesterday.
“We are in constant contact with the security forces and once we receive more
information we will inform the public,” head of the Public Security Department
Media Office, Major Bashir Daaja, told The Jordan Times.
On June 23, the state prosecution charged Sharif and two of his brothers —
Mohammad, who is also on the run and believed to be in Syria and Thaer, who was
arrested by the Jordanian authorities — with plotting to commit criminal acts on
citizens and their financial assets and possessing an illegal weapon
(machinegun) with illicit intent.
The prosecution said the defendants have committed several dangerous crimes
along with other family members nicknamed the Udwan Mills Gang, because they
were captured in a police raid in the Udwan Mills village near the town of
Sukhneh.
Mohammad and Sharif have been on the run since escaping from the authorities
while being escorted to court from their prison in June 2004, the charge sheet
said.
The Smadis are also part of a group of 15 men and women described by the
authorities as one of the most dangerous criminal gangs to have ever operated in
the Kingdom.
AFP quoted an Information Ministry official, as saying that Mohammad's wife was
also arrested during the clashes.