The Jordanian State Security Court upheld a death sentence...

The Jordanian State Security Court upheld a death sentence by hanging given to a US-born Islamist convicted of plotting attacks in Jordan during the 2000 millennium celebrations. Raed Hijazi, 33, was found guilty of obtaining explosives and weapons, and planning attacks against US and Israeli tourists.
It is Jordan's first death sentence against a Muslim militant since the 11 September attacks. The ruling came more than two months after an appeals court ordered a retrial saying military judges in the State Security Court had insufficient evidence to convict him on charges of possessing arms and manufacturing explosives in February 2002.
During the court session, Col. Fawaz Buqour, presiding over a three-judge panel, said the court had upheld the previous verdict and punishment.
"`The State Security Court decided not to comply with the ruling of the appeals court,'' he said. The decision may be appealed again. The 33-year-old was arrested in Syria and extradited to Jordan in October 2000. He testified in his previous trial that he did not plot terrorist attacks as to do so would be against the teachings of Islam.