Jordan tries Islamists accused of plotting to attack tourists

AMMAN - Four Islamists accused of plotting attacks on foreign tourists in the Red Sea resort of Aqaba and on alcohol traders opened in Jordan's state security court Thursday, court sources said.
The defendants, who could face the death penalty if found guilty, denied the charges read out at the hearing, which was adjourned until May 17.
On April 4, the state security court upheld death sentences against two Islamist militants convicted of plotting attacks against Jewish and Western tourists during millennium celebrations.
The military tribunal also upheld jail sentences against seven other defendants convicted in September 2000 of planning bombings using sulphuric and nitric acids against tourist sites.
The group was at first accused of links to Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda terror network but that charge was dropped for lack of proof.

05/05/2005 14:10 GMT