Politics · Saudi Arabia · 22 hrs ago
Jordan Cabinet approves tougher terrorism penalties
Jordan’s Cabinet approved urgent changes to the country’s Anti-Terrorism Law.
The changes raise the minimum prison sentence for terrorism offences from five to 10 years, with sentences of up to 15 years in some cases; the death penalty remains.
Courts could order security monitoring after release, including electronic tracking or house arrest, for a period they set.
The package also counts prison years as 12 months instead of nine and allows separate penalties to be served separately.
The move follows two deadly attacks in Jordan: a stabbing that killed a security officer in Amman on November 5, and a church attack in Karak two weeks earlier that killed nine people.
The Cabinet plans to send the changes to Parliament within two weeks for discussion and a vote.
Jordan’s Cabinet approved urgent amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Law, including prison terms of up to 15 years and court-ordered monitoring after release.
The amendments raise the minimum prison term for terrorism cases from five to 10 years, while retaining the death penalty.
Courts could impose electronic monitoring, tracking or house arrest after a convicted person’s sentence ends.
The changes also increase penalties for incitement, collaboration and hate speech, and make prison years for terrorism convictions count as 12 months instead of nine.
The Cabinet acted after two deadly attacks, including the killing of a security officer in Amman on November 5.
- Who
- Jordan’s Cabinet approved the amendments.
- What
- It approved urgent changes to the Anti-Terrorism Law that increase penalties and allow monitoring after release.
- When
- Sunday, November 8, 2026. Some measures for people already convicted take effect that day.
- Where
- Jordan.
- Why
- The measures follow two deadly attacks, including a stabbing attack authorities described as terrorism.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
An attack on a church in Karak Governorate killed nine people.
A security officer was stabbed to death in Amman in an attack authorities described as terrorism.
The Cabinet approved urgent amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Law.
A measure taking effect that day made prison years for people already convicted of terrorism count as 12 months and removed a good-behavior exception.
The amendments are to be referred to the House of Representatives for discussion and a vote.
- Minimum prison term
- Raised from 5 to 10 years
- Maximum prison term in some cases
- 15 years
- Post-release measures
- Electronic monitoring, tracking or house arrest
- Prison year
- 12 months instead of 9 months
- Karak church attack
- 9 people killed