Jordan's Paralympians return home

Published Thursday, 23 August 2012
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Three members of the Jordanian Paralympic team, who have been accused of carrying out sex offences in Northern Ireland, have returned home to Amman following their release on bail.

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King Abdullah of Jordan personally intervened to guarantee that the two male wheelchair-using powerlifters and a trainer would cooperate with the courts and the bail process.

His assurances were accepted when the men appeared before District Judge Richard Wilson at Coleraine Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

It has now been confirmed that the athletes will not be competing in this year's Paralympic Games, as the Jordanian Parlympic Committee felt it would be "inappropriate".

"We have been informed by the Jordanian National Paralympic Committee that they will not be entering the athletes in question into the London 2012 Paralympic Games," a statement from the Paralympic organisers said.

"The athletes have returned to Jordan."

Some of the charges levelled at the men involve children.

Powerlifter Omar Sami Qaradha, 31, is accused of two counts of sexual activity with a child and further charges of sexual assault against a woman and voyeurism.

Trainer Faisal Hamash, aged 35, is charged with two counts of causing sexual activity with a child.

A second powerlifter, 45-year-old Motaz al-Juneidi is charged with sexual assault against a woman.

The three men deny all the charges against them and are due back in court in Northern Ireland on 18 October.

Paralympians from Jordan arrived at Antrim Forum earlier this month, to complete their training ahead of the Games.

"We have a zero tolerance on any misconduct and will continue to work closely with the Northern Ireland authorities to assist in their investigation," a statement from the Jordanian Paralympic Committee said.

"However, our focus is now preparing the remaining members of the team for competition and we look forward to taking part in what promises to be a truly magnificent sporting event."

© UTV News
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1 Comments
F Ward in West Midlands wrote (269 days ago):
I do hope the Jordanian government keeps its promise to return the three to N Ireland for trial by October 18th. Time will tell, won't it!
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