 A suspected member of a Jordanian criminal gang involved in a shootout with Syrian security forces in Damascus last week was found dead in a northern hospital yesterday, the official Sana news agency said.
"Mohammad Aied Said Smadi was found dead today in the Al Hosn hospital in the province of Homs after an injury. He had taken a bullet during the armed clashes in Mount Qassioum," Sana said.
| Being kinda slow, I have trouble with that phrasing, "found dead." Did they not know he was in the hospital and the cleaning lady stumbled over him? Was he sitting in the emergency room, waiting to be seen and nobody noticed when he keeled over? Or was he found in Room 428, right where Dr. Mahmoud had left him, only not as alive as he used to be? |
Syrian security officers also arrested Mohammad's sister, Nisrine Smadi, in northern Syria as she tried to cross illegal into Lebanon, Sana said.
| "Going somewhere, Nisrine? Stick 'em up!" |
Law enforcement officers have now arrested all members of "this terrorist group that carries out hold-ups," the news agency added. Earlier this week, four members of the Smadi gang were arrested two on Monday and two on Wednesday. On Thursday Jordanian interrogators left for Syria to coordinate with Damascus on an investigation underway with the two fugitives sought in the kingdom on criminal charges.
"Honey, which truncheon do you want to take with you to Damascus?"
"Pack the #6, dear. The Syrians will be doing most of the work."
"It's at the cleaners. Will the #4 do?" |
Police spokesman Maj. Bashir Al Daaja told The Associated Press Jordanian investigators will "follow up the case with Syrian authorities who did a fine job getting the two fugitives arrested."
| "... but not a very good job keeping them all alive..." |
Investigators would await the outcome of the Syrian investigation before Jordan seeks their extradition, he said. The Smadi brothers allegedly headed a criminal gang known as Tawahin Al Udwan.
| I think that's Arabic for "The Purple Gang." |
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