US embassy cable - 04AMMAN3303

UNCLAS AMMAN 003303 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER, ASEC, JO 
SUBJECT: ANOTHER GROUP OF ANTI-U.S. PLOTTERS ON TRIAL; 
JUDGE CONTEMPLATES VERDICT IN RIYATI, ABU SAYYAF CASES 
 
REF: A. AMMAN 2633 
 
     B. AMMAN 1870 
     C. AMMAN 3288 
 
1.  (U)  Jordan's state security court in late March 
initiated another trial against men suspected of planning 
attacks on U.S. and Israeli targets in Jordan.  Authorities 
charged three men from the "Obedience and Compliance" group 
with possessing illegal weapons and ammunition with illicit 
intent.  A fourth is being tried in absentia.  The 
prosecution alleged that the suspects met in a Zarqa mosque 
to plot, but were arrested before they carried out any armed 
attacks.  Two prosecution witnesses told the court on April 
14 that the defendants had asked several religious scholars 
for a fatwa sanctioning attacks on Americans and Jews. 
 
2.  (U)  Meanwhile, the court moved forward on two other 
high-profile cases.  The defense for al-Qa'ida/Ansar al-Islam 
suspect Ahmad al-Riyati concluded its presentation on April 
25 with a call to dismiss all charges against his client. 
Riyati and eight others being tried in absentia (including 
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi) are accused of plotting attacks against 
local and U.S. targets in Jordan last year.  The judge 
adjourned the session indefinitely to consider his verdict in 
the case.  The judge also is contemplating his verdict in the 
case of Jordanian extremist Mohammad al-Shalabi (aka Abu 
Sayyaf) and 12 other men (including three Saudis being tried 
in absentia) accused of planning anti-U.S. operations. 
 
3. (U)  Comment:  Given Jordanians' renewed focus on security 
after revelations about the recent bombing plot in Jordan, 
the court's proceedings against suspected terrorists will 
come under increasing scrutiny in coming months.  However, 
defense attorneys will find little sympathy for their 
clients' plight -- or repeated claims of torture -- among a 
frightened public, which may be more inclined now to allow 
the authorities latitude in dealing with suspected 
terrorists.  We expect the court to hand down convictions and 
harsh punishments against the suspects as the GOJ seeks to 
make an example of subversives. 
 
Visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman or access the site 
through the State Department's SIPRNET home page. 
GNEHM