Middle EastUpdated November 8
Jordan approves proposed tougher terrorism-law amendments
Jordan’s government has approved a proposed package of tougher terrorism-law amendments and plans to refer it to the House of Representatives within two weeks for consideration and approval through constitutional procedures, Asharq News reported, citing Petra. The proposals would raise minimum penalties, lengthen sentences in some cases and require precautionary measures after sentences end, with courts determining their duration and methods. The government described the package as an initial step in a broader legal review intended to strengthen counterterrorism and deterrence and protect national security and social peace. Asharq separately reported an interim measure taking effect Sunday for people already convicted in terrorism cases: no good-conduct sentence reduction while the law is amended, and a prison year counted as 12 rather than nine months. The report also noted an armed attack on a church in Karak and a fatal stabbing of a public-security officer in Amman. Jordanian authorities classified the Amman incident as a terrorist act after preliminary findings indicated the suspect planned to target security personnel.
Coverage started November 8