Jordanian court executes death sentence for church attack trio

A judicial body in Amman ruled on Sunday that three men will be executed by hanging for their roles in a fatal shooting at a church in the southern part of the country. The verdict follows a trial concerning the violent incident that took place in late October.

The attack occurred on October 23 at a Greek Orthodox church located in the village of Hammoud, within the Karak governorate. Gunmen burst into the building during a funeral service, where they opened fire on the congregation. The assault resulted in the deaths of nine individuals and left another 25 people with injuries.

Following the shooting, the three suspects managed to escape the scene before being apprehended by authorities. According to official statements, the group consisted of two Jordanian brothers and a man related to them by marriage. They were arrested just three days after the initial attack.

The Jordanian military announced the final decision in a public statement released on Sunday. The military noted that the State Security Court had formally sentenced the three individuals to death for carrying out what it described as a terrorist attack at the religious site.

The court’s findings detailed several specific charges against the defendants. They were found guilty of committing terrorist acts that resulted in fatalities. Additional convictions included weapons offenses, conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, and the promotion of the ideas of a terrorist organization.

The incident sent shockwaves through the Muslim-majority kingdom. The attack drew significant national attention due to the relatively small size of the Christian community in Jordan, which constitutes approximately three percent of the total population.

The swift arrest and subsequent sentencing mark a significant development in the case. The outcome reflects the legal framework applied by the State Security Court in handling cases involving terrorism and violent crime within the region.

The ruling concludes the judicial proceedings for the three men involved in the Hammoud church attack. The decision underscores the severity with which Jordanian authorities are treating the incident and the charges of promoting terrorist ideologies.

The case has highlighted the security dynamics in the Karak governorate and the broader implications for religious communities in the area. The sentencing is expected to have a lasting impact on the national dialogue regarding security and interfaith relations.