AMMAN, Jordan, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Jordan's state security court issued rulings against 13 defendants accused of conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in Jordan.
Among the defendants is the group's leader, Ahmed Chalabi, also known as Abu Sayyaf, and three Saudis who were tried in absentia.
The court, which convened amid stringent security measures, decided to drop the charge of conspiracy to carry out terrorist attacks in Jordan but kept the charge of possessing arms for use in illegitimate activities.
The court sentenced 11 of the defendants to prison terms ranging from seven to 15 years and acquitted two Jordanians.
The initial indictment also charged the defendants planned to travel to Afghanistan following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States to carry out military operations against U.S. forces but later decided to carry out attacks in Jordan.
