Jordan sentences three men to death for October church attack that killed nine

Jordanian courts have sentenced three men to death by hanging for the deadly gun attack on a Greek Orthodox church in the south of the kingdom. The verdict was handed down on Sunday after a trial in the State Security Court. The three defendants were found guilty of carrying out the attack that killed nine people and wounded 25 others on 23 October at a funeral in Hammoud village in Karak governorate.

The attack began when gunmen stormed the church’s funeral service. They fired into the crowd, killing nine and injuring many more. The attackers, two Jordanian brothers and a relative by marriage, fled the scene but were arrested three days later after a confrontation with security forces. The incident shocked a region that hosts a sizable Christian community, which makes up about 300,000 of Jordan’s 11.5 million residents.

During the trial, the court found the men guilty of terrorism, weapon offences, conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, and promoting the ideology of a terrorist organisation. One of the defendants was also convicted of providing funds intended for terrorist activity. The State Security Court confirmed the death sentences, citing the severity of the crimes and the loss of life. Military officials released a statement confirming the ruling and noting that the convictions were part of a broader effort to combat terrorism.

King Abdullah II said those responsible would face the harshest penalties and offered condolences to the families of the victims. He also ordered a review of the country’s security procedures for responding to attacks. The ruling signals Jordan’s determination to protect its diverse population and to deter future attacks on religious sites. It also highlights the ongoing challenge of safeguarding minority communities in a region where religious tensions can flare.