3 men linked to Jordan’s Paralympic squad held on suspicion of indecent assault in N. Ireland

By Sylvia Hui

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON — Three men linked to Jordan’s Paralympic team were arrested in Northern Ireland following allegations of indecent assault, British media reported Tuesday. It was not clear if the men were athletes or supporting members of Jordan’s team.

Jordan’s squad is one of several national teams training in a sports centre in Antrim, northwest of Belfast, ahead of the Paralympic Games that start Aug. 29 and end Sept. 9.

When asked about the BBC and Sky News reports of the arrests of the three Jordanians, Northern Irish police said three men were arrested for questioning in the Antrim area on Monday “in relation to allegations of indecent assault.” They did not identify the men by name or further explain the circumstances.

Police said Tuesday that the men were aged 23, 35 and 36. The men were being held but none have been charged.

A Jordanian sports official confirmed that three team members have been arrested, but declined to provide any details. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment while Northern Irish police were still investigating.

Jordan sent a 19-strong delegation to the Paralympics. Its National Paralympic Committee was not immediately available to comment.

The organizing committee of the London Games declined to comment because the case was under police investigation.

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Associated Press writer Jamal Halaby in Amman, Jordan, contributed to this report.

15:53ET 21-08-12