Jordanian Islamist cleric Abu Qatada, on trial for terrorism, lashed out Thursday at jihadists in
Syria for imposing a special tax on
Christians under their control, saying their ideas were "distorted and extreme." "The tax imposed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on
Christians in some areas in
Syria is **t acceptable," Abu Qatada told reporters during his trial in Amman.
Christians living in the provincial capital of Raqa, under ISIL control, will **w have to pay the levy, k**wn as jizya, as part of an alleged agreement for their protection an**unced Wednesday. Abu Qatada said the jihadists' "ideas are distorted and extreme." "ISIL can**t protect
Christians because they are **t in charge... they are still fighting," he said. ISIL said wealthy
Christians must pay the equivalent of 13 grams (half an ounce) of pure gold, middle-class
Christians pay half that sum and the poor a quarter of it.
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