Jordan: 7 terrorism-related charges filed against perpetrators of Karak church attack

Jordan's State Security Court prosecutor on Tuesday filed seven terrorism-related charges against three Jordanians for their attack on a church in Karak governorate on October 23, which killed nine and wounded 25. The most serious charge is "committing terrorist acts resulting in death," which carries a potential death penalty.

Jordan's State Security Court prosecutor on Tuesday filed seven terrorism-related charges against three Jordanians who carried out an attack on a church in Karak governorate, southern Jordan, killing nine people. The prosecution announced in a statement the completion of "all investigative procedures (...) regarding the commission of the terrorist act" that targeted the Saint George Church in the town of Hamoud on October 23, in addition to "interrogating the defendants in the case who carried out the terrorist act." The three detainees face seven charges, most notably "committing terrorist acts resulting in death, committing terrorist acts using weapons and ammunition, possessing weapons and ammunition with intent to use for terrorist purposes, conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, and promoting the ideas of a terrorist group," according to the statement. Under the law, conviction for "committing terrorist acts resulting in death" could carry the death penalty. The attackers targeted a funeral in Hamoud village, firing randomly outside and inside the church where about 200 people had gathered for the funeral, killing nine and wounding 25. The attackers fled and evaded capture for three days before authorities arrested them, identifying them as two brothers and their brother-in-law, Jordanians who adhere to "takfiri ideology."