Eight men stand trial for plotting terror attacks

AMMAN — Prosecutors at the State Security Court  on Wednesday indicted eight Jordanian and Syrian suspects for planning terror attacks in Jordan, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The charges include conspiring to carry out terrorist acts, possession of weapon to carry out assaultive acts, mediation in weapon sales and transfers, possession of explosives and not reporting their knowledge of the plans to the concerned authorities.

The suspects include an alleged Daesh leader in Raqqa, Syria, and seven others, who carry Jordanian and Syrian nationalities, three of whom remained at large.

Five of the suspects are relatives and two are alleged weapon dealers, in addition to the suspected terror leader, who, the charge sheet says, is in charge of arm provision in the terror group.

Security agencies foiled the plot last December when the suspects were trading weapons in Mafraq, 80km northwest of Amman, Petra said, adding that during the hearing, the suspects pleaded not guilty.

In September 2016, two of the alleged terrorists agreed on carrying out assaults in Jordan and started their scheme by buying AK47s, ammunition, and grenades to use them in the attack for JD4,000.

The hearing was adjourned until Wednesday to listen to witnesses.