Brothers of MP who allegedly beat waiter in custody

AMMAN — Two brothers of a Jordanian MP who reportedly assaulted an Egyptian restaurant worker in Aqaba last week were ordered detained on Monday pending a settlement, official sources and the lawyer of the victim said.  

Mohammad Theeb Barakeh, the lawyer representing the victim, waiter Khaled Yamani, and the Lebnani Snack restaurant, told The Jordan Times that a settlement is expected either Monday evening or Tuesday.

Barakeh filed a lawsuit against the MP and the people accompanying him with an Aqaba court on charges of libel, slander and intimidation in addition to assault. 

The alleged assault on Friday, which went viral on social media, showed lawmaker Zeid Shawabkeh purportedly talking to an Egyptian worker at a fast food restaurant in the port city. As he was speaking to the 36-year-old waiter, his brother slapped the guest worker across the face.

The footage shows the MP’s brother then allegedly pushing Yamani to the ground and, with the help of two others, beating him up.

The Jordan News Agency, Petra, quoted a source at the Ministry of Interior as saying on Monday that “the Jordanian government does not allow anyone to be above the law regardless of the individual or his/her background. 

Yamani was admitted to Princess Haya Hospital in Aqaba after the assault and was discharged Monday, according to Barakeh.

An employee at the restaurant who witnessed the assault told The Jordan Times on Sunday that “the MP did not beat Khaled, but his brother and the other people accompanying him did,” countering previous reports that the MP was involved in the assault. 

The incident apparently occurred because Yamani was “late in delivering the meal to the deputy and his company”, added the employee, who preferred to remain anonymous.

The video of the alleged assault went viral on social media, triggering anger among Jordanians, Egyptians, diplomats and media commentators. 

The issue prompted the government to comment, with Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani insisting that Jordan respects Arab guest workers, adding that the law protects both citizens and residents and guarantees their right to turn to the Kingdom’s legal system if their rights were compromised.