'Hijacker Confessed Under Threat Of Castration'

Independent (UK) ^ | 11-27-2002 | Justin Huggler

[blam]

'Hijacker confessed under threat of castration'

By Justin Huggler in Jerusalem
27 November 2002

The Arab-Israeli citizen accused of attempting to hijack an aircraft and fly it into a building said yesterday he never tried to seize the controls. Tawfiq Fukrasaid he only "confessed" when Turkish police threatened to castrate him.

Mr Fukra, a Palestinian with Israeli citizenship, is being held in a Turkish prison after being accused of trying to hijack an El Al flight from Tel Aviv to Istanbul on 17 November. El Al portrayed the incident as proof of the efficiency of its security. Mr Fukra was wrestled to the floor by two security guards posing as passengers.

Mr Fukra claimed in an interview with Israel's Ha'aretz newspaper that he never tried to hijack the aircraft. He said instead he had an altercation with a stewardess.

Mr Fukra told Ha'aretz he was angry because, as an Arab, he had to endure extra security checks at Tel Aviv airport. "I was nervous on the flight," he said. "It was the first time I ever flew. I got up before landing and the stewardess yelled at me. I shouted back and the security guards pounced on me and I fell to the ground. I don't have any more memory of what happened."

There were wildly differing versions of events on the flight. Mr Fukra's version tallies with some early accounts. But several passengers said they saw him try to break into the cockpit. Last week the Israeli government described the incident as a "terror attack".

Mr Fukra said he confessed under duress from Turkish interrogators. "They told me that they castrate anyone who doesn't co-operate with them. So I told them anything they wanted to hear," he said.

[blam]

Love those Turks!

[APBaer]

He imagined Seventy two virgins shouting:
"You don't know Dick!"

[RLK]

Turkish police threatened to castrate him.

-----------------------

The Turks will do that.

[DWSUWF]

Wouldn't it have a hoot if they'd castrated him anyway and used Mr. Potato Head eyes and noses to decorate his testicles?

They could have staged a little puppet show with them, with the right ball being 'allah' and the left one being 'mohammed'.

'allah' could have had Col. Sander's voice and 'mohammed' could have sounded like Mr. Bill.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

But several passengers said they saw him try to break into the cockpit.

Today the cockpit. Tomorrow castration. Something poetic about that. Cocktails, anyone?

[Revolting cat!]

Why is it that I (and you and everybody) knew from reading the title that this could not have taken place in any of the so called "civilized nations"? The squeamishness, the polite manners and the ACLU will be the end of the West!

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

The Turks will do that. ... and more.

[Route66]

I imagine this interrogation technique saves an incredible amount of time.

[Redcloak]

"OH, NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"

[Belial]

The squeamishness, the polite manners and the ACLU will be the end of the West!

Well, move to Turkey then. You can castrate Muslims all day long if that's your thing.

[Senator Pardek]

Today the cockpit. Tomorrow castration. Something poetic about that.

Good news. There are some Muslim nations who believe that when a cockpit is entered without consent, the woman should be stoned to death.

[Billthedrill]

Well, the Turks certainly have a longer track record than we of dealing with militant Islamic fanatics. As good little multicultural citizens we shouldn't condemn them...

This guy should have called their bluff, something like "yeah, you talk big, Mister Turkish jail fellow, but you wouldn't dare castrate me! Oh yeah, I bet you're gay as well." That might work...

[Revolting cat!]

Why don't you move to Turkey yourself? Maybe the "move to Cuba if you don't like it here" line is still considered an original and thoughful response there! A great big yawn to you!

[RightOnline]

You're a sick puppy.........but that was funnier than all hell.......:)

[DainBramage]

In Texas this is often put in the words "okay, let's get down to the nut cuttin'".

The difference is, here it refers to young bulls, in Turkey it refers to the uncooperative.

[Grig]

So, what would you NOT confess to, if refusing to confess would get you castrated?

[colorado tanker]

What's the problem? Betcha he'd look good in a burqa.

[Poohbah]

Tawfiq Fukrasaid he only "confessed" when Turkish police threatened to castrate him.

OK...uh...what's the problem, again?

[blam]

"This guy should have called their bluff, something like "yeah, you talk big, Mister Turkish jail fellow, but you wouldn't dare castrate me! Oh yeah, I bet you're gay as well." That might work..."

Thanks, best laugh of the day.