Karak Greek Orthodox Church Attack Killed Nine; Jordan Sentences 3 to Death

Court Hands Down Death Sentences

The three men received death sentences on Sunday from a military-run court, the Jordanian Armed Forces said. They were convicted under antiterrorism laws in connection with last month’s church attack.

The military said the convictions covered deadly terrorist acts, weapons and ammunition possession with terrorist intent, and promotion of a terrorist group’s ideas. The statement did not identify the group, and the sentences may be appealed.

Arrests Followed Karak Raid

Security forces arrested the men in late October after a shootout during a predawn raid on an abandoned house in Karak province. The church attack also took place in the southern province, which has a sizable Christian community.

King Abdullah praised the arrests on social media. He wrote that Jordan would not tolerate people promoting ideologies that divide its citizens.

Officials Address Possible Motive

Jordanian authorities have not explained what prompted the shooting. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan later attributed it to what he called “terrorist takfiri ideology,” a term often used for Islamist extremists who brand other Muslims heretics. The king had vowed the attack would bring “the harshest retaliation.” Weeks after the shooting, Jordan carried out airstrikes against Islamic State targets in southern Syria, according to a government spokesman; the military described its targets as terrorist organization hide-outs but named no group.

Syria Strikes Drew Condemnation

The Syrian civil defense rescue service said the airstrikes killed at least seven civilians, including three children. Syrian officials condemned the strikes. The church shooting killed nine people and injured about three dozen. Jordan’s Christian community makes up about 2 percent of the population, according to United States government estimates; the Constitution protects religious practice and prohibits religious discrimination.