A Jordanian man accused of plotting an attack against the Jordanian embassy in Baghdad in August 2003, pleaded not guilty to the charges at the State Security Court (SSC) on Monday. Muamar Ahmad Jugheiber is charged, along with fugitive Abu Mussab Zarqawi, with plotting subversive acts that led to the death of individuals. The Aug. 7 attack left 17 people dead, including, five Iraqi policemen, and dozens more injured, and caused financial losses estimated at JD181,126, according to the charge sheet. During Monday's session, Jugheiber's defence lawyer Fathi Daradkeh informed the court that his client was detained for six months for interrogation purposes by the security forces. âMy client's long detention period is in violation of his rights and the law and I hope the court will take this into consideration,â Daradkeh told the tribunal.
Presiding Judge Fawaz Bqour said the court would consider the defence's charges when it issues a verdict in the case. Judge Bqour adjourned the session until July 11 to start hearing the prosecution witnesses. Jugheiber and Zarqawi were sentenced to death in absentia by the SSC in April 2004 for plotting the assassination of US diplomat Laurance Foley outside his Amman home on Oct. 28, 2002. Jugheiber was arrested in Iraq in May 2004 by US forces and handed over to the Jordanian authorities. He is currently standing trial in the Foley case on charges of subversive acts which led to the death of an individual.