Jordanian Writer Shot Dead Before Cartoon Trial

By Laith al-Junaidi





A prominent Jordanian writer was shot dead outside court Sunday where he was standing trial on charges of contempt of religion.





Writer Nahed Hattar was struck by three bullets before the assailant was arrested, the official Petra news agency "ed a security source as saying.





The Jordanian Public Security Directorate said Hattar had been rushed to hospital where he had breathed his last.





The controversial writer was detained in August for sharing a caricature seen offensive to Islam on his Facebook page.





He was released on bail earlier this month and put on trial on charges of contempt of religion and stoking sectarian strife. -