House where the terrorists were hiding when they were caught
Jordan court hears witness testimony in trial over Karak church terror attack
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- Two defendants accused of selling the weapons used in the attack appeared in person, while the three main suspects attended remotely via video link.
- The court heard testimony from relatives of victims and people injured in the attack, with witnesses identifying those accused of opening fire during a funeral service.
- The five defendants face seven charges, including terrorist acts resulting in death, illegal possession of weapons for terrorist purposes, conspiracy to carry out armed attacks, and promoting terrorist ideology.
Jordan's State Security Court held its second hearing on Sunday in the trial of five terrorists accused in a deadly attack on St. George's Church in the town of Hamoud, in Karak Governorate, which left nine people dead.
Two of the defendants, suspected of selling the weapons used in the attack, appeared in person, while the three main suspects accused of carrying out the assault attended remotely via video link.
During the hearing, the court heard testimony from several witnesses, including relatives of those killed and people injured in the attack. Witnesses identified the defendants accused of opening fire on people attending a funeral service inside the church.
The court held its first hearing last Wednesday, when it heard the defendants' responses to the charges against them and appointed lawyers to represent them in accordance with the law.
Investigation and charges
The State Security Court's military prosecutor, Brigadier General and Judge Ahmad Tal'at Shahaltough, announced last Tuesday that investigations had been completed. The prosecution had heard witness statements, collected forensic and other evidence from the crime scene, documented the weapons and ammunition used, and questioned those accused of carrying out or contributing to the attack.
The defendants face seven charges, including carrying out terrorist acts resulting in death, in connection with nine fatalities; committing terrorist acts using firearms and ammunition; possessing weapons and ammunition for terrorist purposes; conspiring to carry out armed terrorist acts; promoting the ideology of a terrorist group; and acts intended to undermine public order and endanger public safety.
Jordan's Public Security Directorate announced on Oct. 26 that the three main suspects had been arrested at an abandoned house in Karak Governorate. All three were wounded during the security operation, according to the directorate.
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