al-Qaida-Linked Cell in Turkey Said Gone

Associated Press ^ | 12/26/03 | JAMES C. HELICKE

[TexKat]

ISTANBUL, Turkey - Police arrests have dismantled an al-Qaida-linked cell believed to have carried out the Istanbul bombings that killed 62 people last month, a top official said Friday, but added that several leading members were at large abroad.

A Turkish court charged nine more suspects Friday, including an alleged top member of the cell, with involvement in the bombings. In total, 44 people have been charged in last month's attacks.

Istanbul Gov. Muammer Guler told a news conference that authorities had captured most of the alleged militants involved in the attacks, which targeted two synagogues, a London-based bank and the British Consulate. At least five others were believed to be abroad.

The attacks "were carried out by the elements of al-Qaida who were trying to create a structure in Turkey," Guler said. But "there is no need to fear. Any attack by this group here has totally been prevented. ... This group is totally dismantled."

Among those charged by a state security court in Istanbul on Friday was a man authorities suspect is a top member of the cell. Harun Ilhan was charged with a crime amounting to treason, which carries a penalty of life imprisonment, the semiofficial Anatolia news agency reported. He is the third person to face such serious charges.

One man was charged with membership in an illegal organization while seven others were charged with aiding or abetting, Anatolia said. The offenses carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Another person was released for lack of evidence.

Guler said most suspected members of the cell who were detained underwent training in Afghanistan (news - web sites) or Pakistan.

Earlier Friday, Ilhan was taken to the Neve Shalom synagogue, one of two synagogues attacked on Nov. 15, to explain his alleged involvement in the bombings.

Anatolia said Ilhan applied for a government amnesty that cuts prison terms in exchange for information about illegal groups. Those who apply must confess to their crimes. It was not clear if the amnesty would apply to Ilhan.

Private NTV television said Ilhan had received preliminary orders for the attack two years before. It said that the militants had initially planned to attack the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul, but attacked the British one after the U.S. Consulate moved to a more secure suburban location.

Istanbul Police Chief Celalettin Cerrah said police had seized enough explosives from the group to make three or four truck bombs.

Guler said authorities had seized about 1,100 pounds of explosives, including the military explosive RDX.

"These explosives were going to be used in other attacks. Their discovery prevented that," Guler said.

His press conference came after a leaked police document earlier this week warned that terrorists may be planning attacks at against U.S., Israeli and Western targets in Turkey in the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Guler said Turkish forces were still taking security measures for New Year's Eve, but said the group accused of the bombings was no longer a threat.

It was not clear, however, whether other al-Qaida-linked cells were still active in Turkey.

News reports have suggested members of the Turkish al-Qaida cell could be in Iraq, but Guler said it wasn't clear where they were.

[billorites]

"al-Qaida-Linked Cell in Turkey Said Gone"

[montomike]

Turkey seems like they got the job done on its terrorists really fast. I wonder how they get them to talk and rat each other out.

[Gritty]

I wonder how they get them to talk and rat each other out.

You probably don't want to know the details.

Rest assured they got detailed information in 24 hours what we have not yet gotten in 24 months in most cases at Camp Guantanamo.

[Monty22]

Frankly, this is proof that real torture works.

We need to be using it.

[Vigilanteman]

Turkey is intent on joining the EU or they'd hang these s.o.b.'s. By the time they spend life in a Turkish prison, they'll wish they had been hanged.