AI Image
Three men sentenced to death in Jordan over church mass shooting
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- A Jordanian court sentenced three men to death by hanging for a mass shooting at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak on October 23, which killed nine people and injured 34 during a Christian funeral.
- The attackers, two Jordanian brothers and their brother-in-law, were convicted of terrorist acts, possession of weapons, promoting terrorist ideas, and conspiracy; they fled the scene but were arrested three days later after a shootout with security forces.
- The motive for targeting St George's church remains unclear, but the attack sparked strong condemnation from King Abdullah II, who vowed harsh retaliation and praised security forces for their efforts.
- In response to the attack, Jordan conducted airstrikes against alleged terrorist groups in Syria's Daraa province, resulting in civilian casualties and causing tension as Syria denied prior notification.
- Jordan resumed executions in June after previous unofficial moratoriums, with hanging as the method of capital punishment.
