Jordan hangs 6 for killing security personnel after 9-year pause in death penalties

On June 21, 2026, Jordan executed six individuals for crimes involving the killing of security personnel, marking the first time since 2017 that the death penalty has been applied in the country. According to a government statement, the men were convicted in cases related to terrorism and other serious offenses that resulted in the deaths and injuries of police officers and military personnel. The executions took place at dawn on Sunday, as confirmed by the Jordanian Roya News outlet. Among those executed were two men linked to a 2018 incident in the city of Salt, where six security officers were killed during a raid. Another individual was found guilty of murdering a senior police officer during protests over rising fuel prices in 2022. Others were convicted in drug-related cases where security officers were killed during armed confrontations between 2014 and 2018.

The Jordanian government has stated that more than 100 individuals currently remain on death row, and officials indicated that future executions will continue to be carried out “one by one.” Government spokesperson Mohammad Momani emphasized that the sentences were intended to deliver justice for those who lost their lives while serving the nation. However, the reasons behind resuming the death penalty after nearly a decade of suspension were not elaborated upon by the government. Jordan typically employs the death penalty sparingly, primarily in cases involving terrorism and severe violent crimes. The last mass execution occurred in 2017, when 15 individuals were put to death.

The resumption of capital punishment comes amid broader discussions about Jordan’s legal framework and its approach to dealing with terrorism and organized crime. While the government has maintained a cautious stance on the death penalty, recent actions suggest a shift toward stricter enforcement of existing laws. Officials have not provided detailed justifications for the decision, leaving questions about the motivations behind the sudden resumption of executions unanswered. Some analysts speculate that political pressures, regional security concerns, or internal judicial reforms might have influenced the move, although no official confirmation has been given.

Meanwhile, the issue of Jordan’s handling of individuals linked to past attacks has drawn criticism from outside observers. One notable example involves Ahlam Tamimi, a woman responsible for the 2001 Sbarro restaurant bombing in Jerusalem, which claimed the lives of 15 people, including six children and a pregnant woman. Arnold Roth, whose daughter Malka was among the victims, has repeatedly criticized Jordan for allowing Tamimi to live freely in the country despite a U.S. arrest warrant issued in 2013. Roth has accused Jordan of using legal loopholes to avoid extraditing Tamimi under a 1995 extradition treaty with the United States. He described Jordan’s explanations for not complying with the treaty as “ridiculous, convoluted excuses” and expressed frustration with the lack of international pressure to ensure justice for the victims of the Sbarro attack.

Tamimi was released to Jordan in 2011 as part of the Gilad Schalit prisoner exchange deal. Despite being listed on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list with a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to her capture, she remains at large. Roth has also pointed fingers at the United States for not applying sufficient diplomatic pressure to secure Tamimi’s extradition. He cited a secret letter obtained through Freedom of Information Act litigation, which reportedly contained a pledge from a former Jordanian monarch to honor the extradition treaty. Roth’s criticisms highlight ongoing tensions regarding international cooperation in combating terrorism and ensuring accountability for perpetrators of such attacks.

As Jordan moves forward with its current legal measures, the international community and local civil society will likely scrutinize how the country balances its commitment to justice with human rights considerations. With over 100 individuals still awaiting execution, the pace and scope of future capital punishments remain uncertain. Meanwhile, the unresolved issues surrounding figures like Ahlam Tamimi underscore the complex interplay between national sovereignty, international law, and the pursuit of justice for victims of terrorism.