AMMAN (Web Desk) – A Jordanian writer charged with offending Islam after sharing a satirical cartoon on his Facebook page has been killed.
Nahid Hattar was hit by three bullets outside the court in the capital Amman where he was standing trial, BBC reported.
Police have arrested the suspected shooter, Riad Abdullah. Jordanian media said he was local imam who had been upset by the cartoon.
Hattar was arrested on August 13 after he published a cartoon depicting a bearded man lying in bed with two women and smoking, asking God to bring him a drink and was charged with inciting sectarian strife and insulting Islam. He was released on bail in early September.
Mr Hattar was born a Christian, but considered himself an atheist. He was attacked on social media for being anti-Islam.
Meanwhile, Jordan’s Prime Minister Hani Al-Mulki offered his resignation to King Abdullah II in the aftermath of the assassination of Hattart.
Mulki formed his government in May following the dissolution of parliament to prepare for legislative elections that took place last week.
