Jordanian Court Sentences Three Individuals to Death for Karak Church Terror Attack

The Jordanian State Security Court sentenced three individuals to death by hanging on Sunday, November 15, 2026, for a terror attack on St. George Orthodox Church in Hammoud, Karak. The attack, which took place on October 23, 2026, occurred during a funeral ceremony and resulted in nine deaths and between 25 and 40 injuries.

The three convicted individuals are Jordanian nationals, consisting of two brothers and their brother-in-law. According to the Public Security Directorate, the perpetrators held an extremist Takfiri ideology. The court convicted the three men for nine counts of terrorist acts resulting in death, as well as using, possessing, and conspiring with weapons and ammunition for terrorism and promoting terrorist ideas. One of the three convicts was also convicted of terrorism financing.

Trial and sentencing details

The three defendants attended the trial remotely from their place of detention, according to Al Bilad Daily. The court also sentenced two additional individuals to 6 years in prison for selling weapons to the attackers. The verdict issued by the State Security Court is subject to a mandatory appeal before the Court of Cassation.

Security forces apprehended the suspects in an abandoned house in Karak four days after the attack. The incident caused significant casualties, with official reports noting nine people were killed. While some sources reported 25 injuries, other reports indicated the number of injured reached 40.

Ideology and religious context

The Public Security Directorate described the perpetrators as extremists holding Takfiri ideology. This attack targeted the Christian community in Jordan, where Christians make up approximately 3% of the total population.

King Abdullah II vowed that the perpetrators would face the harshest penalties for their actions. Lawyers for the victims' families, including Amer Halsa, have been involved in the legal aftermath of the tragedy.

The attack on St. George Orthodox Church remains a significant event for the region, highlighting the ongoing security challenges regarding extremist ideologies. The legal proceedings against the three men and the two weapon sellers conclude the initial judicial phase of the investigation into the October 23, 2026, massacre.

Glossary

• Karak — Karak is a city in Jordan and the capital of the Karak Governorate. It is situated on a hilltop about 1,000 metres above sea level and is known for the medieval Kerak Castle.
• Public Security Directorate — The Public Security Directorate is part of the Ministry of Interior. It includes the national police, the Gendarmerie, and the Civil Defense Directorate.
• State Security Court — The State Security Court is a court located in Amman. It is a venue where trials take place and where a panel of civilian judges may sit.