Karak:The State Security Court has initiated the trial of defendants involved in the October 23 terrorist attack on St. George Martyrs Church in Hmoud, located in the Karak Governorate. The court proceedings began on Wednesday, with additional hearings scheduled.
According to Jordan News Agency, the trial follows the completion of the investigation by the Public Prosecution Office, which resulted in the case being referred to the court. Prosecutors have filed seven charges after gathering witness testimonies, collecting evidence from the crime scene, and documenting the weapons and ammunition utilized in the attack.
The charges against the defendants include nine counts of jointly committing terrorist acts that resulted in death, in violation of Article 7(b)(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Law No. 55 of 2006, as amended. These charges also reference Articles 2 and 7(f) of the same law and Article 76 of the Penal Code No. 16 of 1960, as amended.
Additionally, the defendants face two counts of jointly committing terrorist acts using weapons and ammunition, under Article 7(b)(3) of the Anti-Terrorism Law. This is in conjunction with Articles 2 and 7(f) of the same law and Article 76 of the Penal Code. Other charges include jointly possessing weapons and ammunition with the intent to use them in terrorist acts, as specified under Articles 3(f) and 7(c) of the Anti-Terrorism Law, with references to Article 7(f) of the same law and Article 76 of the Penal Code.
The defendants are also charged with conspiracy to commit terrorist acts using weapons, as outlined under Articles 7(g) and 7(i), with reference to Article 2 of the Anti-Terrorism Law. Moreover, the charges involve promoting the ideology of a terrorist group under Articles 3(e) and 7(c), and committing acts likely to disrupt public order and endanger public safety and security, under Articles 2 and 7(i) of the same law.