Prisoner killed in Jordanian prison clash

AMMAN, Apr 13 (Reuters) One inmate was killed and at least 35 prisoners and policemen injured when riot police stormed a Jordanian prison cell holding Islamist security detainees today, witnesses and security officials said.

They said the clashes erupted at Qafqafa jail at dawn when police in full riot gear rushed into a cell holding more than 34 detainees, including several al Qaeda militants convicted for foiled plots to attack U.S. and Israeli targets.

Abu Mohammad al-Tahawi, an Islamist serving a 3-year prison sentence for plotting to kill Americans, said police had removed two inmates while the others were holding dawn prayers.

''We were holding prayers when a huge security force took us by surprise, entered the cell and used tear gas and batons and live ammunition,'' Tahawi told Reuters by phone during the clashes.

He said the inmates had resisted and taken two policemen hostage.

Another Islamist prisoner said riot police used needles to drug several prisoners and that inmate Khaled al-Bishtawi was shot dead.

Jordanian officials said the violence erupted when some inmates tried to stop security forces searching their cells for drugs and sharp weapons, but denied using live ammunition and said no policemen were taken hostage.

''A number of security men and inmates were injured ... their injuries are superficial to moderate. An inmate died on his way to hospital,'' government spokesman Naser Juda told Reuters. Juda declined to say how the inmate had died.

Witnesses said about 100 policemen surrounded the prison, which is on a hill 60 km north of Amman, during the height of the drama.

Interior Minister Eid al-Fayez said in a statement that 15 policemen and 20 inmates were injured in the riot, which was now over.

In early March, prisoners loyal to al Qaeda took a prison chief and six policemen hostage during riots at three jails against the transfer of two inmates convicted for killing a US diplomat.

Islamist sources said the prisoners released the policemen after winning promises they would not be punished. The two inmates were hanged 10 days later for the assassination.

Last year, high security detainees held several protests against what they said were poor prison conditions and ill treatment. Jordan denies there are systematic violations of prisoners' rights in its jails.

REUTERS DKS PM2302