Jordan releases mentor of Iraq Al Qaeda founder



AMMAN // Jordan has released from jail an imam known for being a source of inspiration to extremist militants, according to Reuters.

Abu Muhammad Al Maqdisi is expected to make a speech on Jordan's Roya TV on Friday.

While Al Maqdisi was a mentor to Abu Musab Al Zarqawi, the founder of Al Qaeda in Iraq, he has previously denounced the ISIL militant group.

He is expected to reiterate that condemnation in his speech on Friday.

Charges against Al Maqdisi were dropped on Thursday, the Jordan Times reported.

He had been detained by Jordanian security forces in October.

Pro-government demonstrations are expected in Amman on Friday, amid a swell of nationalism following ISIL burning alive Jordanian fighter pilot Maaz Al Kassasbeh.

jvela@thenational.ae

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