Jordan announces tougher terrorism laws, doubles penalties for accomplices

• Jordan's Cabinet approved amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Law that would double penalties for those who assist, incite or participate in terrorist offences.
• The proposed changes would raise minimum prison sentences and introduce cumulative sentences for multiple terrorism-related offences.
• Prison terms for terrorism convicts would be calculated as 12 months per year, rather than nine, with the measure applying immediately to current prisoners.

Jordan's Cabinet decided Sunday to introduce sweeping amendments to legislation governing terrorism-related offences, including doubling penalties for those who assist, incite or participate in crimes committed by terrorist perpetrators.

The proposed amendments, approved in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Sunday, would raise the minimum prison sentence under the Anti-Terrorism Law from five to 10 years, and to 15 years in certain cases, with penalties potentially reaching the death sentence, depending on the offence.

The changes would also introduce the cumulative enforcement of sentences in cases involving multiple terrorist offences, meaning that each crime would carry a separate sentence rather than defendants serving only the longest sentence, as is currently the practice.

Under the proposals, a prison year for people convicted of terrorism-related offences would count as 12 months instead of nine. The changes would also exclude them from provisions allowing early release after serving three-quarters of their sentence under Article 34 of the Rehabilitation and Correction Centres Law.

The government decided to apply the 12-month calculation immediately, starting Sunday, to individuals already serving sentences in terrorism-related cases, removing their eligibility for the existing good-conduct exemption.

The proposed amendments would also introduce mandatory precautionary measures for people convicted of terrorist offences after they complete their sentences. These could include electronic monitoring, close surveillance and house arrest for periods determined by the courts.

In addition, the government plans to increase penalties for hate speech and conduct associated with terrorism-related cases, as part of broader efforts to strengthen deterrence and address extremism.

The Cabinet granted the proposed legislative changes urgent status and decided to refer them to the House of Representatives within two weeks for consideration and approval in accordance with constitutional procedures.

The decisions follow Thursday's attack on Medina Street in Amman, in which Jordanian security officer Jawad Al-Salayta was killed. The Cabinet opened Sunday's meeting by reciting Al-Fatiha in his memory and extended its condolences to his family and the Jordanian public.

It also wished a speedy recovery to Lieutenant Firas Al-Ananzeh, who was injured in the incident, praising his courage for preventing the attacker from continuing his actions.

The government described the measures as the first package in a broader review of legislation aimed at strengthening counterterrorism efforts, combating extremism and protecting national security and social stability.

Read more: King Abdullah II: Jordan will not falter in its fight against terrorism, extremism