SSC rejects lack of jurisdiction claim in Zarqa assault case trial

AMMAN — The State Security Court (SSC) on Sunday affirmed its jurisdiction to adjudicate the Zarqa assault case, in which a 16-year-old boy was brutally attacked by a group of men who cut off his hands and left him blind in one eye a month and a half ago, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

In a trial held on Sunday, the court rejected the defence’s claim of the court’s lack of jurisdiction and duly proceed with the case.

The trial, attended by the general attorney and adjourned to Monday, included hearings of testimonies of three witnesses.

The court will continue to allocate two sessions each week to listen to 26 witnesses, Petra reported.

During the first session, the court pressed nine charges against 17 defendants, among them a fugitive, who will be tried in absentia. The charges included domestic terrorism, abduction, sexual assault, causing permanent disability, attempted murder, resisting arrest and unlawful possession of weapons, Petra reported.