Amman: Dozens of people have been detained in Jordan on suspicion of participating in a protest against rising fuel prices that resulted in the shooting death of a senior police officer, according to the country's security agency.
Colonel Abdul Razzaq Dalbeh, the deputy police chief of Maan province, died on Thursday after being shot in the head in the city of Al-Husseiniya during what officials described as "riots".
The Directorate of Public Security issued a statement saying, "44 people who took part in the riots in several areas across the state have been arrested and will be brought before the courts."
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It claimed that reinforcements had been sent to the provinces and claimed that "vandals and outlaws" were responsible for the unrest in the southern province of Mann.
Jordan's King Abdullah II issued the following warning on Friday: "Whoever takes up arms against the kingdom will be dealt with firmly."
Interior Minister Mazen al-Farayah said on Friday that the criminal was being searched by security services in order to catch him and bring him to justice as soon as possible.
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The Security Directorate reported that two additional policemen were shot and wounded in al-Husseiniya.
More than a week ago, taxi and truck drivers began a strike in several provinces of southern Jordan.
They were joined by bus drivers and businessmen who closed their doors on Wednesday to protest against rising fuel prices.
Protests erupted this week as protesters blocked roads by burning tires and clashed with security personnel in some places.
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Jordan's fuel costs have almost doubled since last year, especially for kerosene for heating and diesel used in buses and trucks. For the most affected families, the government has suggested financial assistance as one of the relief measures.
