Jordan church attack suspects charged with terrorism

On Tuesday, prosecutors in Jordan announced that the suspects accused of carrying out a church attack in the Karak governorate have been charged with terrorism offences. The attack, which took place on October 23 at St George's Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Hmoud, resulted in the deaths of nine Christians and injuries to 34 others. It is the deadliest assault on Jordan's Christian community since the 1950s.

Three men were initially arrested and subsequently charged with a variety of terrorism-related crimes. These charges include carrying out terrorist acts that resulted in deaths, using weapons and ammunition during terrorist acts, possessing weapons and ammunition with the intent to use them in terrorist acts, conspiring to carry out armed terrorist attacks, promoting terrorist ideology, and disrupting public order and endangering public safety.

Brig Gen Ahmad Talat Shahaltough, a military judge in Jordan, reported that investigators had completed their investigation, including taking witness statements, gathering evidence from the scene, documenting the weapons and ammunition used, and questioning the suspects.

King Abdullah II of Jordan expressed his nation's unwavering stance against terrorism during a speech to parliament. He emphasized that these individuals are not part of Jordan and have betrayed the country, stating that Jordan remains unyielding against any aggressor and will remain formidable in the face of anyone who seeks to ignore its history.