Jordan’s Al Bilad weekly editor-in-chief Hashem Khalidi was released on Thursday as former Deputy Toujan Faisal continued a hunger strike behind bars for the fourth consecutive day, her lawyers said.
Judicial sources said Khalidi was released on a JD1,000 bail bond, endorsed on Wednesday by State Security Court prosecutor Major Mahmoud Hiyasat.
Khalidi was detained on Sunday for 15 days pending trial on charges of “publishing false material deemed harmful to the country's reputation and that of its citizens.”
Al Bilad published an article last week in which it accused officials of doubling vehicle insurance premiums earlier this month for personal gain.
Meanwhile, Faisal's lawyer Zayed Radaydeh said Thursday the former deputy (1993-97) was still on a hunger strike.
“Faisal's hunger strike has [taken a toll] on her health in the form of slower walking and a pale face,” Radaydeh said.
He said his last meeting with his 53-year-old client was on Wednesday morning. Judicial sources said, however, that Faisal was “not on a full hunger strike as she is taking plenty of liquids.”
Radaydeh argued that liquids were needed to stabilise Faisal's kidneys, adding that she suffers from stomach disorders.
“Prosecutor Colonel Muhannad Hijazi, who ordered Faisal's detention, inquired yesterday about her health and found that she was in a very good and normal condition,” one of the sources said.
A resident physician and a medical team are on duty round-the-clock at the Juweideh Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre, where Faisal is being held.
The lawyer said the State Security Court prosecution has not yet acted on Radaydeh's request for bail, the third since Faisal was detained last Saturday.
The former deputy is being held on charges of making “false remarks” and “publishing false material deemed harmful to the country's reputation.” (Source: Jordan Times)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
