A Jordanian court on Sunday sentenced three men to death by hanging over a deadly church shooting, as the kingdom's Christmas celebrations were cancelled in solidarity with the victims' families.
Gunmen killed nine people and wounded 25 others when they stormed a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in southern Hammoud village, Karak governorate, on October 23.
Authorities said three men, two Jordanian brothers and their relative by marriage, had fled after the attack and were arrested three days later. They described them as followers of a hardline Islamist ideology.
In a statement Sunday, the Jordanian military said the "State Security Court issued its ruling, sentencing to death the three criminals who carried out the terrorist attack" at the church.
The court found them guilty of "terrorist attacks" resulting in death, as well as weapons offences, "conspiracy to commit terrorist acts" and "promoting the ideas of a terrorist organisation".
The defendants attended the closed hearing by video link from detention. Tight security guarded the courthouse nevertheless.
The attack shocked Jordan, a Muslim-majority kingdom where Christians make up around three percent of the population.
Jordan's Council of Church leaders announced Sunday the "cancellation of all Christmas celebrations" as the community mourns the attack.
They encouraged churches to make their Christmas trees "a symbol of hope, unity and peace"
