Jordan Times
Sunday, July 18, 2004
Gov't condemns
'brutal killing' of truck driver
By Khalid Dalal
AMMAN — The government on Saturday strongly condemned the “brutal killing” of a
Jordanian truck driver by alleged insurgents outside the western Iraqi city of
Ramadi.
Reuters quoted witnesses and police as saying
that insurgents shot and killed the driver yesterday and then gouged out his
eyes and left his body by the side of the road. “The government categorically
condemns such a crime,” Minister of State and Government Spokesperson Asma
Khader told The Jordan Times. “We are currently contacting Iraqi authorities to
determine what exactly happened.”
The driver, identified as Ayid Nassir, a father of two, was carrying supplies
from Amman to Baghdad when he was attacked outside Ramadi, 110km west of the
Iraqi capital, at around 6:00am, according to Reuters.
Khader said Jordan will demand the Iraqi interim government probe the issue and
punish those behind “the heinous and barbarous act.”
“We will also cooperate with Iraqi authorities to bring Nassir's body back
home,” she added.
Reuters Television pictures showed at least seven bullet holes in the windshield
of his yellow Mercedes truck and others in the body of the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Khader yesterday welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's expected
visit to Jordan next week.
She said Allawi's trip will be part of a regional tour.