Prominent Jordanian Writer Murdered Outside of Blasphemy Trial

We previously discussed the ridiculous case of prominent Jordanian writer, Nahed Hattar, 56, who was charged with blasphemy for merely sharing this cartoon. The charge was a disgrace for a nation that long prided itself on being a moderate Arab nation. It is increasingly succumbing to extreme Islamic voices and the charges against this writer were a worrisome development. Now he is dead. A man dressed in traditional Islamic garb shot and killed Hattar as he walked outside of the court in Amman.

Hattar was facing charges with inciting sectarian strife and insulting Islam after posting the cartoon, entitled The God of Daesh (ISIS), depicting an ISIS militant sitting next to two women and asking God to bring him a drink.

In another example of the contempt of extreme Islamic followers for the rule of law, Hattar was shot three times in the head as he waited to face the charges.

His brothers chased down the killer and held him.

I am less than impressed by cries of outrage from government officials. The government was responsible for these absurd charges and the denial of free speech protections. They set the stage that allowed this murderer to gun down a man waiting to defend himself.