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Militants in Jordan Refuse to Plead
 Fifteen alleged militants refused to speak Monday when a military court asked them to plead to numerous terror charges, including plotting to attack the U.S. and Israeli embassies in Amman. The court interpreted their silence as a plea of not guilty and adjourned the trial to March 14. A 16th person accused is being tried in absentia on the same charges. The charge sheet identified the chief defendant as Abed al-Tahawi, 50, and said he pursued the ideology of "takfiri" -a policy of killing anybody considered to be an infidel. The charge sheet said al-Tahawi recruited his accomplices while preaching in mosques in Irbid, 50 miles north of the capital. The defendants planned to attack the U.S. and Israeli embassies in Amman, and a hotel favored by Israeli tourists in Irbid, the charge sheet said. They also planned to attack the home of the director of an annual cultural festival and American performers at the festival, according to the charges. Details released Monday did not say how or when they planned the attacks. The alleged militants were detained in August and September before they could carry out their plans. It was not disclosed how they were arrested. Posted by: Seafarious 2005-03-08 |
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