20 February 2007
A Turkish court has sentenced seven suspected al-Qaeda members to life in jail for helping to carry out bomb attacks against two synagogues and two British institutions in the city of Istanbul in 2003. Dozens of others received lighter sentences, while 30 of the 74 accused were acquitted by the court. The defendants, including one Syrian, were convicted of orchestrating suicide bombings against the synagogues, the British consulate and a British-owned bank. Sixty people died in the attacks, for which the Turkish wing of al-Qaeda later claimed responsibility. The Syrian defendant, Louai al-Sakka, was arrested in 2005 on suspicion of plotting to ram explosives into an ocean liner carrying Israeli tourists to Turkey. He has yet to be tried on those charges. Prosecutors voiced satisfaction with the sentences but said they could still be appealed.
Al-Sakaa said he did not expect to remain long in jail and vowed to carry out more attacks: "I will get out. I will be united with my gun and I will catch up with you and the jihad brigades. Victory is very near." British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said in a statement: "I welcome the convictions in Istanbul of those responsible for the bombings of November 2003. These were abhorrent acts.My thoughts at this difficult time are with those who lost relatives and friends, and those who were injured in these abominable acts of terrorism."
