200 Detained in Bread Riots Freed

Jordan has released about two-thirds of the 300 people arrested during bread riots last week, security sources said. The government released about 200 detainees for lack of evidence but will prosecute the rest in connection with the riots that erupted Friday in the southwestern towns of Al Karak, Maan and At Tafilah and spread to Amman, the capital. At least 40 people were injured in three days of rioting--the worst civil unrest in the normally peaceful kingdom since 1989 protests, also over the price of food. In the last few days, authorities have eased security in Al Karak and relaxed a curfew imposed there, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.