12 defendants sentenced to prison in ‘Hamas case’

AMMAN — The State Security Court (SSC) on Tuesday sentenced 12 defendants who were being tried in what is known as the “Hamas case” to prison terms ranging between five and 15 years. 

Eight of the defendants were sentenced to five-year prison terms, while the four others were each sentenced in absentia to 15 years in jail after being convicted, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The defendants were found guilty of making explosives for the purpose of disrupting public order and jeopardising the safety of the community.

They were also convicted of joining and recruiting persons to join armed groups.

The Muslim Brotherhood criticised the SSC military panel’s verdict, according to an e-mail sent to The Jordan Times on Tuesday, asking in whose interest it is to try those who support the Palestinian Hamas movement.

Since the defendants included engineers, the Jordan Engineers Association (JEA) issued a statement describing the SSC ruling as contradictory to the sacrifices Jordan made defending Palestine.

Moreover, the JEA said its convicted members did “nothing punishable by law” unless defending Palestine and its prisoners has become a crime.

The association charged that the Anti-Terrorism Law is the “sin” of the government and Parliament, citing the convictions as evidence that the law will be used to “silence Jordanians and stand in the face of reform”.

Moreover, the JEA said it will continue to demand the release of the convicted members and supporting the Palestinian resistance.