Jordan King Orders Release of 100 Demonstrators

King Abdullah II on Monday ordered the release of around 100 people arrested during violent protests last month against fuel price hikes, the official Petra news agency reported.

It said the king instructed Prime Minister Abdullah Nsur "to take the necessary legal measures to release those arrested during the recent demonstrations in several regions of the country" against the rises.

The order applies to 116 people who were arrested, according to government spokesman Samih Maayta.

At least three people were killed, including two policemen who were shot, and more than 70 injured in violent protests against a government decision on November 13 to raise fuel prices by up to 53 percent, according to police.

Jordanians have held Arab Spring-inspired protests since last year to demand reform. The government says the fuel price hikes are essential to address a budget deficit of 3.5 billion dinars (around $5 billion dollars) this year.