Man handed life sentence for murder during counterfeiting operation

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld an October 2021 Criminal Court ruling sentencing a man to life in prison after convicting him of murdering a 64-year-old man during a counterfeit money exchange operation in Mafraq in January 2019. 

The court declared the defendant guilty of stabbing the victim multiple times following “a heated argument” on January 5, and handed him the maximum punishment.

Court papers said that the defendant asked the victim to supply him with fake currency, and went to his house to discuss the matter. 

While the two were discussing the trade operation, an argument ensued, “prompting the defendant to grab a knife”, the court maintained.

“The defendant stabbed the victim on different parts of his body then fled,” according to the court papers.

The defendant discarded the knife while driving away, the court papers added.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, but died later as a result of his injuries, the court added. 

The defendant was later arrested by police, after which he led police to the hiding place of the discarded knife that was used in the stabbing incident, the court papers stated.  

The defendant contested his verdict at an appellate court through his lawyer, who argued that the court did not follow the proper legal procedures.

The Criminal Court’s attorney asked the Court of Cassation to uphold the ruling. 

The higher court ruled that the Criminal Court followed the proper sentencing procedures, and rejected the appeal.

The Court of Cassation judges were Mohammad Ibrahim, Yassin Abdulat, Nayef Samarat, Mohammad Khashsahneh and Hammad Ghzawi.