Jordan begins trial of suspects in alleged Bush plot

AMMAN, Mar 7 (Reuters) Jordan began today the trial of three Islamists accused of plotting to assassinate US President George W Bush when he visited the kingdom last year.

Jordan's state security court prosecutor accused the Jordanians of plotting to carry out terrorism attacks using inflammable substances and illegal possession of automatic weapons and explosives.

The indictment sheet gave no details on how the suspects, arrested two days before US President George Bush's visit to Jordan last November, planned to carry out their attack.

Lawyers often accuse military prosecutors of fabricating allegations against militants that are rarely backed up in court.

Lawyers say such charges are politically inspired to illustrate Jordan's strong commitment to the US-led war on terror.

The public announcement of Bush's visit to the kingdom came only a few days before his arrival as part of tight security measures in the country.

The three suspects, whom prosecutors say do not belong to any known Islamist group, were accused of planning unspecified attacks on the heavily guarded US mission in the kingdom and a brewery over a period of several months.

Lawyers said their confessions were extracted under torture and denied their clients were involved in any plot against Bush, whose brief visit last year was focused on talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

''They told me their written statements were extracted under torture and that their case has been blown out of proportion for political ends,'' Abdul Jabar Abu Qila, their lawyer told Reuters. He said he had been denied access to his clients until he was able to speak to them in court today.

Jordan has rounded up scores of alleged militants in recent years, many of whom were either detained or charged for plotting attacks on Israelis, Americans and Westerners.

Security officials in Jordan, a staunch US ally, say the rise in militancy is tied to growing anti-American sentiment after the invasion of Iraq.

REUTERS SP RAI2018