Baqaa terror attack suspects enter ‘not guilty’ plea

AMMAN — Two men indicted in a terrorist attack that claimed the lives of security personnel at the General Intelligence Department (GID) office near the Palestinian  refugee camp of Baqaa on Thursday pleaded “not guilty” to charges in the first hearing of the case.

The attack on the GID office took place on June 6 and left five personnel dead, including three officers who guarded the office. The main defendant has been indicted for committing an act of terror and murder, while the other is an alleged accessory accused of selling weapons to the former, aware in advance of his alleged intentions. 

The State Security Court (SSC) adjourned the trial of the two to the middle of next week to give the defence lawyers time to prepare their statements, according to SSC Prosecutor General Brig. Gen. Ziad Odwan.

According to the charge sheet, the first defendant is indicted of committing terrorist acts that led to the death of human beings, and committing terrorist acts using automatic weapons, while the other suspect is charged of selling weapons for illegal use, Odwan added.

The head of the court panel verified the presence and identities of the defendants and recited the bill of indictment.

The panel also listened to the testimonies of 12 prosecution witnesses, and appointed a lawyer to the primary defendant who, if convicted, faces a death penalty.