Jordan MP Arrested over Parliament Kalashnikov Shooting
A Jordanian MP was arrested on Monday for his alleged role in a September fight in parliament, where another lawmaker fired a Kalashnikov assault rifle at a third colleague, an official said.
"Yahia al-Saud was detained today after prosecutors charged him with inciting murder, defamation and slander," the judicial official told Agence France Presse.
"He was remanded in custody for 14 days pending further investigation," he added.
On September 10, MP Talal al-Sharif shot a Kalashnikov at his colleague Qusay al-Dumaisi during an altercation in the lower house, without hitting him.
The shooting came two days after an argument broke out in parliament between Dumaisi and Saud.
Video footage showed Dumaisi removing his shoes and Saud his belt during the dispute, which flared due to differences over parliamentary procedure, before they were separated.
"Prosecters found evidence that Saud incited Sharif to shoot at Dumaisi," another judicial official told AFP.
MP Khalil Atiyeh, deputy house speaker, confirmed the detention of Saud.
"Saud at the moment does not enjoy immunity because parliament is in recess," Atiyeh told AFP.
Saud, who faces up to three years in prison "could be expelled if convicted," Atiyeh said.
Sharif was expelled from parliament and Dumaisi suspended for one year.
Sharif, currently in jail, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and resisting the security forces.
In July 2012, a live television debate on domestic issues between two deputies also degenerated into fisticuffs before one of them pulled out a gun and was overpowered.
Source: Agence France Presse
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