Jordan sentences three men to death over Church attack that killed nine
Key Takeaways
- Jordan's State Security Court imposed death sentences on three men convicted over the October 23 church attack.
- Two defendants received six-year prison sentences after their charges were amended to possession of firearms.
- The shooting during a funeral at St George's Greek Orthodox Church left nine dead and 34 injured.
A Jordanian court handed down death sentences to three men over a deadly church shooting in Karak, while two others received six-year prison terms.
Three men have been sentenced to death in Jordan for their involvement in an attack on St George's Greek Orthodox Church in Hammoud, Karak Governorate, which left nine people dead and 34 injured.
Jordan's State Security Court delivered the verdict on Sunday, following the October 23 shooting that targeted mourners attending a funeral at the church.
Security personnel were stationed outside the courthouse as journalists, photographers and relatives of the victims gathered to follow the proceedings.
Lawyer Amer Hussein al-Halseh, who represented the victims' families, confirmed the sentences and explained the court's decision concerning two other defendants.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
‘Is that fair?’ - Putin challenges EU over green energy demands on developing nations
"The court issued its rulings against the first three defendants, who carried out the terrorist attack, sentencing each of them to death under the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Law. As for the fourth and fifth defendants, the charges against them were amended to possession of firearms, and each was sentenced to six years in prison after the penalties were combined," he said.
The lawyer also stressed that the families were seeking justice rather than revenge for those killed.
He added that "revenge is not a principle embraced by the families of the martyrs. Rather, their objective and ultimate goal from the very beginning of this case has been to uphold the law and achieve justice in all its aspects."
The attack occurred on October 23 when gunmen opened fire during a funeral service at St George's Greek Orthodox Church, killing nine people and injuring 34 others.
The shooting prompted widespread condemnation from Arab and international governments.
Countries including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Germany condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Jordan.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
