Jordanian Islamist inmates release some hostages

AMMAN, Mar 1: Jordanian Islamist inmates loyal to al Qaeda have released five officers, including a prison chief, after promises they will not be punished for taking policemen hostage, Islamist sources said today.

''The Islamists released the prison's chief Colonel Saad Ajrami and four others, but there are two other police officers captive...They (the inmates) got promises they will not be penalised after this affair and sent to solitary confinement,'' said one Islamist source in touch with the hostage-takers.

The hostage-taking took place after Jordanian troops clashed with prisoners in three major prisons when they went in to move top security Islamist detainees, security sources said.

Reuters