[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Jan. 28


JORDAN:

Jordan upholds death penalty for the failed female suicide bomber


Jordan's highest court rejected on Saturday an appeal by the failed female
suicide bomber who has been sentenced to death for her role in the series
bombings which killed 60 people in Jordan in 2005, according to released
court documents.

The highest court ratified the death penalty of the 35-year-old Iraqi
woman al-Rishawi who was "guilty beyond doubt of possessing explosives and
having had the intention and the will to carry out terrorist attacks, of
which the outcome is destruction and death."

At least 60 people were killed and over 100 wounded in a series of
bombings in Radisson, Grand Hyatt and Days Inn hotels in the Jordanian
capital of Amman on Nov. 9, 2005, the worst terrorist attacks in the
country's history.

Sajida Mubarak Atrous al-Rishawi was later captured by Jordan's security
forces and had confessed initially on Jordanian television to failing to
detonate her explosive belt in a hotel.

However, during her trial which started on April 24, 2006, Rishawi has
pleaded not guilty in the trial and her defense lawyer told the tribunal
that Rishawi suffered from a psychological problem.

On Sept. 21, 2006, the Jordanian military court sentenced Rishawi and 6
others to death who were accused of attempting to carry out the terrorist
attack. The 6 others, including another Iraqi woman, were sentenced in
absence and remain at large. They are believed to be hiding in Iraq.

(source: Xinhua)