JPA says it is following up on alleged attack on Petra reporter

AMMAN — The Jordan Press Association (JPA) said on Saturday it was following up on an alleged security personnel's attack against journalist Omar Dahamsheh during Friday's protest near the Fourth Circle. 

JPA council member, Khaled Qudah, said that Dahamsheh "was subject to an act of violence".

Dahamsheh, from the Jordan News Agency, Petra, said he was attacked by security personnel while he was covering Friday's protest near the Prime Ministry.

The journalist was quoted by local media outlets as saying that he was following protesters who started marching towards the Prime Ministry when "suddenly, he saw himself in confrontation with security forces".

"I introduced myself to security forces as a journalist, but they dragged me towards them and started beating me up," Dahamsheh said.

Qudah told The Jordan Times he was also there, observing the protests, and he rushed to Dahamsheh upon learning he was attacked.

"It was clear that our colleague was subjected  to violence but he was in good health. We also made sure that Dahamsheh had all his documents with him and that he was then allowed to complete his work with no hindrances. That is the immediate action we took," Qudah said.

Qudah, in charge of press freedoms and human rights at the JPA, said that Dahamsheh was asked to write a report about what exactly happened to him while on official duty.

"The association has taken all necessary procedures and is now following up on the case as an 'attack on a journalist' with all concerned parties,” Qudah added.

The Public Security Department's spokesperson was not available for a comment on Saturday.