06/06/2005
AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - Fourteen men who earlier admitted plotting terrorism and sparking riots that killed six people in southern Jordan testified Sunday that they were tortured into confessing. The men then pleaded innocent before a military court.
Mohammad Ahmad al-Chalabi, accused of leading a 108-member cell that allegedly plotted to strike in the southern city of Maan, said he committed no acts of terrorism and was innocent of the accusations against him. ``Interrogators forced me to sign a guilty confession under beating and torture,'' al-Chalabi testified. His statement echoed testimony by the other 13 alleged cell members in custody. The 14 defendants, along with 94 others at large who are being tried in absentia, are charged with seven crimes which include launching terrorist attacks in November 2002 in Maan, about 130 miles south of Amman. Six people, including two police officers, were killed in shootouts between gunmen and police during unrest. Prosecutors claim al-Chalabi urged his followers to rebel against Maan city officials, including the mayor and police chief. The defendants pleaded innocent to all charges, which include illegal possession of automatic arms and explosives, importing arms, holding illegal gatherings and rioting. If convicted on all counts, the defendants face the death penalty. Al-Chalabi is serving 15 years in jail for another case in which 13 men were charged with plotting terror attacks against U.S. targets in Jordan. SOURCE: The Guardian |
