A military court will issue its verdict on Monday with respect to 28 men charged with conspiracy to carry out terrorist attacks in Jordan during millennium celebrations, the court's presiding judge was quoted by The Associated Press as saying.
Colonel Tayel Raqad, head of a three-man tribunal hearing the case, told the AP that Monday's session will be dedicated to the verdict and sentencing.
Sixteen of the suspects were arrested in Jordan, most of them in December, before they could carry out the alleged planned bombings, said the AP.
The 28 defendants are charged with various crimes, including conspiracy to carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli and American tourists during New Year's celebrations in Jordan.
Other charges include affiliation with 'Al Qaeda', an extremist group allegedly led by Osama Ben Laden - a Saudi dissident who is on the US- wanted list for the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that claimed 224 lives.
If found guilty, the 28 face penalties ranging from imprisonment to capital punishment.
The accused have all pleaded innocent. They have denied links to Ben Laden and claimed that their confessions were obtained under duress.
Meanwhile, a lawyer representing two of the suspects was quoted by AFP as saying that he expected harsh sentences to be handed down.
"The trial took on a political aspect but we have full confidence that justice will take its course and we hope the court will take into consideration our defense, away from any external pressure," Salah Badr said - (Several Sources)
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