Jordanian king offers condolences to murdered writer's family

King Abdullah II of Jordan visited the home village of murdered writer Nahed Hattar on Sunday, to pay condolences to his family following his murder outside an Amman court last week.

In a statement put out by Jordan's Royal Palace, Abdullah was quoted as strongly condemning the "heinous crime" of Hattar's murder, describing it as "alien to our (Jordanian) culture".

Abdullah was accompanied during the visit to the Christian-majority village of al-Fuhais - located around 20km north-west of the capital - by Prime Minister Hani al-Malki.

He used the commemoration as an opportunity to state that Jordanian society was united against "extremism, violence, and bigotry".

Hattar was a controversial figure and angered many Jordanians with his vocal support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and extreme secular views.

He was shot three times in the head at close range on 25 September after appearing in court over a "blasphemous" image he shared on Facebook showing Islamic State group militants and God in a caricature.

In mid-August Hattar turned himself in to the authorities after an arrest warrant was issued for the cartoon.

Hattar was charged with inciting sectarian strife and insulting Islam before he was released on bail in early September.

Hattar's alleged assailant, a Jordanian imam who only recently returned from performing the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, is also said to have fought with oppositoin groups in Syria. He surrendered to police at the scene of the crime.

The suspect has been charged with premeditated murder, terrorism and possession of an illegal firearm and if convicted could face the death penalty.

Before his death Hattar offered something of an apology saying that he had not intended to cause offense to Muslims with the controversial cartoon.

He said its aim was to highlight extremist groups' - such as IS' - perceptions of God and heaven.

Hattar was buried on Wednesday and his funeral brought together thousands of supporters and well wishers.

The controversial cartoon, whose authorship is unclear, depicted an Islamic State fighter reclining beside two women in heaven while asking God to bring him some wine.

In the immediate aftermath of Hattar’s death the Jordanian Media Commision issued a press injunction banning all publication of details related to the murder. Hundreds of protestors also took to the streets of Amman calling for the Jordanian government’s resignation over the crime.

The Jordanian government has condemened Hattar's killing. Minister of Information Mohammad al-Momani said earlier this week in a statement that his government "will use all legal measures against those who spread extremism and hatred in Jordan".