️ A Jordanian court has sentenced three men to death by hanging for their role in a deadly gun attack on a Greek Orthodox church in the kingdom's southern Karak governorate last month, according to a military statement released Sunday. The attack, which targeted a funeral at St George's Greek Orthodox church in Hammoud village on October 23, killed nine people and wounded 25 others, authorities said. The convicted men, described as two Jordanian brothers and a relative by marriage, were arrested three days after fleeing the scene following clashes with security forces. The ruling by the State Security Court comes amid heightened scrutiny of security procedures after King Abdullah II ordered a review of the country's response to attacks.
️ Key Takeaways: Three men were sentenced to death by hanging for the October 23 church attack in Karak that killed nine and wounded 25; the State Security Court convicted them of terrorism, weapons and conspiracy charges; one was also found guilty of financing terrorism; King Abdullah II has ordered a review of security procedures.
️ The assault on St George's Greek Orthodox church unfolded during a funeral in Hammoud village, a community in Karak governorate where many members of Jordan's Christian minority live. Jordan's Christian population is estimated at about 300,000 among 11.5 million people. Authorities said the attackers fled after the shooting and were detained following clashes with security forces in late October. The case has drawn attention to the vulnerability of religious gatherings and the need for rapid response in areas with significant minority communities.
️ In its Sunday statement, the Jordanian military said the State Security Court issued a ruling sentencing to death the three criminals who carried out the terrorist attack. The court found them guilty of committing terrorist attacks resulting in death, weapons offences, conspiracy to commit terrorist acts and promoting the ideas of a terrorist organization. It also said one perpetrator was convicted of providing funds with the intention of using them to finance the commission of terrorist acts. King Abdullah II said those behind the attack would face the harshest penalties and offered condolences to victims' families, while ordering a review of security procedures for responding to attacks.
️ The verdict closes the initial judicial phase of one of Jordan's deadliest recent attacks on a place of worship, but questions remain over the broader network, if any, behind the assault and how security agencies will implement the king's review. Officials have not indicated whether the convicted men will appeal or when the sentences may be carried out. The outcome is likely to shape debate over counterterrorism measures, protection of minority communities and the balance between security and civil liberties in the kingdom.
Source: www.aljazeera.com