(CPJ/IFEX) – In the late evening of 8 August 1998, Nahed Hattar, editor-in-chief of the weekly “Al-Mithaq”, was violently assaulted by four unidentified men wielding clubs as he exited his car with his wife and child in front of his home in Jabal Hussein. The assailants beat him until he lost consciousness. Hattar was taken […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – In the late evening of 8 August 1998, Nahed Hattar,
editor-in-chief of the weekly “Al-Mithaq”, was violently assaulted by four
unidentified men wielding clubs as he exited his car with his wife and child
in front of his home in Jabal Hussein. The assailants beat him until he lost
consciousness. Hattar was taken to the hospital for treatment and released
on 10 August. While the precise motive for the attack remains unclear, it is
feared that it may have been in response to articles published in
“Al-Mithaq”, which is known for its provocative coverage of news and
politics in Jordan.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
a chilling effect on the ability of the press to function freely
investigation be initiated into this deplorable incident and that its
findings be made public
brought to justice
Appeals To
His Excellency Abd al-Salam al-Majali
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Amman, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Fax: +962 6 642 520
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
