AMMAN, 14 April 2008 — Jordan’s State Security Court yesterday began trial of 12 suspects charged with recruiting people and sending them to stage suicide attacks against US troops in Iraq, judicial sources said.
The defendants, who belonged to three networks, pleaded not guilty to the charges that included “exposing the country to hostile actions.” The court adjourned hearing until April 27 to allow time to the public prosecution to present its witnesses, the source said.
Meanwhile, another court jailed three nationals yesterday for smuggling weapons to the neighboring West Bank in 2006. It sentenced Saeed Sawarkeh, 29, to 15 years but reduced it to seven and a half years of hard labor “to help him improve himself.” Co-defendant Salim Mahshi, 29 was sentenced to 10 years, reduced to five years’ hard labor for the same reason. The court also handed down a 15-year sentence in absentia to Salem Omar.
Jordan to Sign N-Deal With France
The Jordanian government plans the signing of a nuclear cooperation agreement with France that provides for exploiting uranium ores in the country and building a nuclear reactor for peaceful uses, local press reports said yesterday.
