Jordan Times
Thursday, July 05, 2007
4 Jordanian prisoners in Israel to return today
Four Jordanian prisoners serving life in the Jewish state for killing two Israeli soldiers are expected to return today following “strenuous”
efforts by the Kingdom, senior officials said last night.
“The government did its utmost to reach an agreement with Israel on releasing the four prisoners,” Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib told
Al Rai.
Israel's supreme court on Wednesday rejected an appeal against transfer of Yousef Abu Ghalioun, Khalid Abdul Razzaq Abu Ghalioun, Abdul
Karim Sanea and Sultan Ajlouni to complete their terms in Jordan, according to the Associated Press.
“This arrangement was the best deal that could be achieved under the current circumstances and related legal complications,” Khatib said.
“The understanding indeed is a transitional period towards the prisoners’ release.”
Jordanian Ambassador to Israel Ali Ayed said the four are expected to arrive Thursday morning.
“It was agreed on the possibility of releasing them after 18 months, or if Israel releases other prisoners of similar convictions,”
according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
An Israeli court sentenced the four to life in jail for killing two Israeli soldiers in November 1990, four years before Jordan and the
Jewish state signed a peace treaty.
The appeal against the transfer was filed by an organisation representing families of dead soldiers.
The government has described Israel’s decision as a “good step”.