Jordan sentences 12 men to jail for planning to join Iraq insurgency

Amman: A Jordanian military court has sentenced 12 men to up to five years in jail for planning to join the insurgency in Iraq to carry out attacks against American and Iraqi forces.

Four of the men who received the longest terms are at large and were tried in absentia. The remaining eight were arrested inside Jordan or at the border with Syria.

The prosecutor, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military court regulations, said their acts could have exposed the kingdom to aggression. The verdict, issued on Monday, can be appealed.

The indictment says the suspects used to meet in a shop in the eastern city of Zarqa to watch videos of suicide attacks in Iraq and listen to speeches by top Al Qaida leaders.