Crimeupdated 19m ago3 min read
MapJordan’s State Security Court Sentences Three Men To Death Over Hamoud Church Attack
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Three men sentenced to death by hanging for Karak church attack. Attack killed nine, wounded 25 at Saint George Church in Karak on Oct 23.
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Death sentences in Karak
Jordan’s State Security Court sentenced three men to death for a deadly shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hamoud in Karak Governorate on October 23, leaving nine people dead and dozens injured. The court’s ruling, as described by Al Mamlaka TV, came after Jordanian authorities arrested the defendants three days after the attack following a shootout with security forces in Karak. The State Security Court’s ruling issued on Sunday included sentencing six years in prison to two other defendants, and the decision was subject to appeal and distinguishable by law before the Court of Cassation.
Public security forces located the attackers four days after the attack, and the suspects refused to surrender and opened fire on security forces, which returned fire and then arrested them. The Jordanian military said the “State Security Court issued its ruling sentencing to death the three criminals who carried out the terrorist attack” at the church, and it listed charges including “committing terrorist attacks” resulting in death and weapons offences.
Family reactions and legal process
Farah Al-Masarwah, daughter of Ala Al-Masarwah who was killed in the Karak church attack, wrote on Facebook that “I received the verdict and my tears are in my eyes,” and she said she could not understand whether her tears were “for joy” or “for remorse.” Meral Zuraitat, daughter of Maher Zuraitat, wrote on Facebook that “Justice has spoken, truth has won,” and she said the ruling returned rights to “innocent souls who left unjustly.” The State Security Court’s ruling was subject to appeal and distinguishable by law before the Court of Cassation, and the indictment included charges of carrying out terrorist acts, possessing weapons and ammunition with intent, and promoting the ideas of a terrorist group.
Basil Al-Borgam, a relative of the victims, said, “We confirmed that it was a terrorist operation because firing at a church where a funeral for a lady is being held can only be done by an excommunication-based extremist.” The Jordan Times reported that Sunday’s verdict would automatically be reviewed by the Court of Cassation within the next 30 days, and it said the State Security Court found the three men guilty of nine counts of complicity in committing terrorist acts resulting in death.
Charges, sentencing details, and aftermath
The State Security Court convicted the three defendants of “committing terrorist acts that resulted in deaths,” using weapons and ammunition in terrorist operations, and “conspiracy to carry out terrorist acts using weapons and ammunition,” according to Petra as carried by DW. DW reported that one defendant was also convicted of “providing funds designated to finance terrorist activities,” and it said the verdict was issued by the State Security Court and announced by Jordan’s Petra News Agency. France 24 said the sentence was subject to appeal and automatic review by the Court of Cassation, and it described the attack as occurring during funeral rites at the Church of Saint George in Hamoud, with nine people killed and dozens wounded.
The ruling was pending completion of judicial and constitutional authentication procedures, and death sentences would not be carried out except after the Cassation Court’s certification and the King’s endorsement. The Council of Church Leaders in Jordan announced the cancellation of all Christmas-related celebrations for this year, and it urged churches to “make this year’s Christmas tree a symbol of hope, unity, and peace” and to designate a memorial space for the victims.