Jordan: Angry night marches calling for overthrowing government following death of 7 COVID-19 patients

SANAA, March 14 (YPA) – Jordan’s capital Amman and several provinces in the Kingdom on Saturday night witnessed protests, demanding the overthrow of the government following death of seven COVID-19 patients as a hospital’s oxygen supply failed.

Hundreds of angry people gathered outside Al-Hussein Salt New Hospital, northwest of Amman, as news of the deaths spread.

They marched towards the centre of the country, chanting slogans calling for the dismissal of the Government of Bashar al-Khasawneh.

Activists posted on social media images of mass demonstrations in several provinces.

The central area of the country in the capital, Amman, has witnessed a heavy security presence, and no clashes between security forces and demonstrators have yet been recorded.

The demonstrations follow a decision by the Attorney General of Salt to arrest five officials at the Hospital, who have been charged with causing death by association, repeated seven times.

The five officials were the director of the hospital, his assistant for services and supply, his assistant for medical affairs, his assistant for administrative affairs and the hospital’s supply officer, he explained  .

The prosecutor decided to detain them for a week in a rehabilitation and centre, Abdullat added in a statement to Jordan News Agency

He confirmed that the investigation was ongoing .

Earlier, Prime Minister Bashar al-Khasawneh announced the suspension of the Director of Al-Balqa Health pending the completion of the investigation into the incident, which sparked widespread public outrage and calls for the dismissal of the Jordanian government.

E.M