# Jordanian Court Charges Ex-Convict With Terrorism Over Police Killing

A suspect linked to ISIS faces terror charges following a fatal stabbing in Amman.

- **Source:** [The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com)
- **Published:** 2026-11-11
- **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics)
- **Original article:** <https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/11/11/jordan-terrorism/>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/04a98e89-6907-4d9f-bf56-8dd66b56afeb

## Terrorism Charges Filed

A Jordanian court has formally charged Muhannad Al Hmouri with terrorism following the fatal stabbing of Cpl Jawad Al Salayta. The incident occurred outside the Sri Lankan embassy in Amman last Thursday. Prosecutors confirmed that investigative procedures regarding the attack on public security forces have been completed, leading to these serious legal proceedings.

## Suspect Background Details

The suspect, born in 1994, is an ex-convict with a history of extremist activity. In 2022, he was sentenced to nine years in prison for planning an attack on a security compound in Irbid and maintaining links to ISIS. He was released from custody only days before the fatal stabbing took place last week.

## The Fatal Encounter

During the attack, the suspect reportedly attempted to seize a rifle from Cpl Al Salayta. Cpt Firas Al Ananzeh, who arrived at the scene shortly before the struggle, intervened to stop the assailant. While the captain successfully prevented further escalation, he sustained injuries during the process of overcoming the attacker in the capital.

## Broader Security Context

This stabbing follows a separate attack on a church in central Jordan on October 23, which resulted in nine deaths. The victims were primarily members of the Halasa, a prominent Christian clan. Authorities have labeled that shooting as terrorism and have already arrested three men accused of carrying out the deadly assault.

## Judicial Proceedings Begin

The trial for five men suspected of involvement in the church attack commenced this past Sunday. According to the Jordan Times, three of these individuals face formal terrorism charges. The remaining two suspects are accused of supplying the weapons used in the shooting, highlighting the state's aggressive response to recent security threats.

## Rare Violence Concerns

Violence against the Christian community in Jordan remains historically rare, making the recent church attack particularly shocking to the public. While militants have targeted security forces periodically over the past decade, the killing of a corporal in a busy embassy district is viewed as a direct challenge to the nation's core security establishment.

## State Security Response

National television reported that the state's Security Court has finalized all investigative procedures regarding the terrorist act against public security ranks in Amman. The suspect faces two counts of committing terrorist actions, one of which specifically pertains to the death of the police officer, reflecting the government's firm stance against such extremist violence.

## National Security Implications

The rapid succession of these violent events has placed significant pressure on Jordanian authorities to maintain stability. By linking the suspect to previous ISIS-related plots and prosecuting those involved in the church shooting, the state aims to demonstrate its control over security. Future stability depends on preventing further radicalization of released former convicts.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/11/11/jordan-terrorism/ — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
