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Jordan arrests Israeli-Arab returning from Mecca

Police detain man at border crossing after Jordanian claims he owes $35,000. Relative: Extortion attempt

Jordanian police arrested last Thursday an Israeli-Arab who was returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca on suspicion that he owed a Jordanian citizen $35,000, Ynet reported. A Jordanian court extended Bassam Riyan's remand by seven days.

 

The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the report and said it was discussing the case with authorities in the Hashemite Kingdom.

 

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Riyan resides in the village of Bara, near Kfar Qassem. Amir Assi, a relative, told Ynet on Thursday that Riyan travelled by bus from Saudi Arabia to the Jordanian border crossing, where he was ordered off the bus and arrested. "People who were with him said he was detained for owing a Jordanian citizen $35,000 and that two witnesses were brought in to back up the suspicions."

 

According to Assi, "It is all a lie. These so-called witnesses don't even know Bassam. They only want to extort money from him, and asked the family to pay five or ten thousands dollars to have the complaint dropped. This clearly shows that this is extortion."

 

The relative said the family had planned on filing an appeal this week, but the courthouse had been burned down by unknown arsonists. Riyan's file was also lost in the blaze, he said.

 

A Jordanian police official told Ynet, "The suspect was arrested following a complaint lodged by a Jordanian citizen regarding a debt. The case is still under investigation."

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.18.11, 00:01
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