Jordanian writer shot dead as he arrives at trial for insulting Islam

A prominent Jordanian writer Nahed Hattar standing trial for sharing a cartoon deemed offensive to Islam was shot dead by an unknown gunman outside a court house in Amman, the capital of Jordan. 56 year old Hattar was struck by three bullets as he made his way into the court house yesterday September 25th.

He was preparing to enter the courthouse for a hearing when the lone gunman shot him at close range.

Hattar, a Christian, was arrested on August 13th after posting a caricature on his Facebook account that depicted a bearded man in heaven smoking in bed with women, asking God to bring him wine and cashews. He removed the cartoon shortly thereafter, saying "it mocks terrorists and their concept of God and heaven. It does not infringe God's divinity in any way".

It is not known who produced the cartoon. Many Jordanian Muslims found the cartoon offensive and against their religion. Authorities said Hattar violated the law by widely sharing the caricature. He was charged with inciting sectarian strife and insulting Islam before being released on bail in early September. Spokesperson of the Jordanian government, Mohammad Momani, condemned Hattar's killing as a "heinous crime".

"The government will strike with an iron hand all those who exploit this crime to broadcast speeches of hatred to our community," he told the Petra agency.