Trial of terror plot suspect begins

AMMAN — The State Security Court on Tuesday started the trial of a suspect charged with allegedly manufacturing explosives to carry out terrorist attacks, after he failed to join Daesh.

The suspect, who has been detained pending investigation since November, denied charges of manufacturing explosives with the intent of using them for terror purposes, possession of firearms with the aim of using them in terror attacks, and promoting terrorist groups ideologies, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

According to the charge sheet, the suspect started reading news about Daesh since the group's establishment, and later became a supporter and sympathiser of the terror group. 

He later started promoting the extremist group through administrating an online chat room that specialises in publishing Daesh news and attracting more supporters.

According to the charge sheet, the suspect wanted to join Daesh in Syria, and started contacting members who told him to travel to Turkey before reaching Syria through infiltration. However, the suspect could not travel at that time, due to fears of getting arrested.

The suspect had the intention of carrying out attacks against security apparatuses in Jordan, the charge sheet stated, adding that he started watching online videos on how to manufacture explosives with items available in the local market.

To this end, he bought a Kalashnikov rifle and ammunition and trained on how to dismantle and rebuild the weapon, in addition to training himself how to shoot. 

In September, the suspect left his home in Karak to Maan, in possession of weapons and ammunition, to meet other supporters of Daesh and stayed with them during clashes with security personnel, the charge sheet said. 

He bought oxygen with the intention to mix it with other materials to produce explosives, but was arrested before executing the plot, according to Petra.