AMMAN, Jordan, June 7 (UPI) -- Jordan Monday said the five life sentences plus 40 years handed down by an Israeli court to Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti Sunday are illegal.
Government spokeswoman Asma Khoder said the court ruling "is contrary to international norms and inconsistent with international law."
"Jordan considers Barghouti a popular Palestinian leader elected by his people and is a person who preaches for a political settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict," Khoder said.
Barghouti, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, was sentenced after a court in Tel-Aviv found him guilty last month of direct responsibility of four suicide-bombings carried out by his movements' armed-wing, al-Aqsa brigades.
Barghouti, 45, has been detained since March 2002.
His trial begain in September 2002. He was indicted for "affiliation in a terrorist organization and involvement in terrorist activities."
