Trial Delayed in Jordan Chemical Attack Plot

The trial of 13 people suspected of plotting a chemical attack in Jordan began today, only to be halted for a week due to complaints by suspects of poor conditions in jail, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, Oct. 18).

“We don’t want to speak to you,” Jordanian national Azmi al-Jayousi, one of the nine suspects in custody, told the judge. “We want you first to improve our detention conditions.”

The trial will resume on Dec. 22 in Amman.

The suspects face seven charges, including “conspiracy to commit terror attacks in Jordan,” making explosives and weapons possession, AFP reported.

They are suspected of planning to use 20 tons of chemicals in an attack on the Jordanian intelligence service office, part of a series of foiled strikes reported to include the U.S. Embassy in Amman and the Jordanian prime minister’s office.

Four of the suspects, including suspected Jordanian terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, remain at large and will be tried in absentia (Agence France-Presse/Yahoo!News, Dec. 15).

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