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Jordan arrests Islamists over fuel hike protests
 Police arrested more than 100 Islamist activists for distributing posters calling on government employees to strike in protest at Jordans third fuel price hike in less than 12 months, Islamists said on Sunday. Government sources denied the charges by the head of the Islamic Action Front, Zaki Bani Irsheid of arrests and harassment of activists who had plastered posters and distributed strike leaflets. At this stage there is not a single person who is detained, the source said. Some people who were putting up flyers and banners in violation of certain laws were questioned but they were then immediately released. The government, which depends on energy imports for most of its needs, endorsed a 12 to 65 percent price hike on a range of petroleum products at a cabinet meeting late on Saturday, effective from midnight. Kerosene and diesel, both widely used for heating by Jordans poor, rose by 43 percent. The authorities say it was no longer possible to defer the decision as the cost of subsidising petroleum prices at current oil prices threatened the countrys financial stability. Opposition parties say the fuel price raises hit the countrys poor the hardest. Posted by: Fred 2006-04-10 |
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