Death sentence for a man who strangled his friend in Amman over financial disputes

The accused lured the victim, killed him, and burned his vehicle

Social media in Jordan witnessed widespread attention in recent hours after the Court of Grand Criminal Justice issued a ruling sentencing a man to death by hanging after convicting him of strangling his friend near one of the shopping centers in the capital, Amman, before setting the victim’s vehicle on fire in an attempt to conceal the crime and erase its traces.

The ruling came after the court was convinced of the presence of premeditation and intent, as the incident stemmed from financial and living disputes between the two parties, which escalated into a planned murder instead of resolving the conflict through legal or peaceful means.

Court panel and conviction

The decision was issued during a public session, where the court convicted the defendant of intentional murder under Article 328/1 of the Jordanian Penal Code and sentenced him to the maximum penalty: death by hanging.

Commercial partnership background

Case details indicate that the defendant and the victim were business partners. However, their relationship deteriorated due to escalating financial disputes, as the defendant owed the victim more than 20,000 Jordanian dinars.

As the victim continued to demand his financial rights, the court concluded that the defendant planned to eliminate him to avoid repaying the debt, turning a financial dispute into a murder case.

Crime details and evidence concealment

According to case documents, the defendant lured the victim under the pretext of discussing repayment arrangements, setting the meeting near a well-known shopping center in Amman.

During the meeting, after a conversation between them, the defendant suddenly attacked the victim and strangled him with his hands until he died. After committing the crime, he set the victim’s vehicle on fire in an attempt to mislead authorities and destroy evidence, according to the court ruling.

Legal basis of the verdict

The court rejected the defense arguments, confirming that the evidence against the defendant was solid and that the criminal intent was premeditated. This was supported by a forensic medical report confirming that death resulted from asphyxiation due to sustained pressure on the neck.

The ruling was issued by the Court of Grand Criminal Justice in its first instance and remains subject to appeal before the Court of Cassation in accordance with Jordanian Criminal Procedure Law.