Two people, a Jordanian and an Egyptian national, were...

Two people, a Jordanian and an Egyptian national, were hanged at Swaqa prison at dawn, official sources said.
The executions of Srour Abdul Qader and Jundi Ali were the first to be carried out in the Kingdom since the beginning of 2002.
Abdul Qader, who was convicted by the Criminal Court of murdering a nine-year-old girl in Zarqa in September 2000, asked for God's mercy minutes before being escorted by security officers to the gallows, according to one official who attended the executions.
He was convicted of murdering Amal Mohammad on September 9, 2000, in a deserted area behind an iron factory in Zarqa. Police apprehended Abdul Qader a few days later after being tipped off by individuals who said they last saw the victim walking with the suspect.
Ali, a 46-year-old Egyptian national, was sentenced to death by the Criminal Court in June 2001 after he was found guilty of murdering the husband of a friend in a farm in Karak. The victim's wife, Afaf Said, was convicted of being an accomplice and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Ali's son, Mohammad, was cleared of complicity in the murder.
The woman had complained to Ali and his son of alleged abuse and mistreatment by her husband, and that he hoarded his money. She offered Ali JD5,000 to kill her husband and he agreed, the court said.
A Royal Decree was issued recently ratifying the Criminal and Cassation Courts' rulings against Qader and Ali. The executions were attended by government officials, the prison director, an Islamic clergyman and other officials.