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DNA Test Identifies Turk Bomber
Police have used DNA samples to confirm the identity of an Islamic militant who rammed an explosives-laden pickup truck into the British consulate in Istanbul, a Turkish newspaper said Monday. The man was identified as Feridun Ugurlu, a Turk believed to have fought with Islamic radicals in Afghanistan and Chechnya, the Milliyet newspaper said, citing unidentified police sources.If not a al-Qaida member, heâs at least a bunk mate. Police, who have claimed that media leaks are hampering the investigation, refused to confirm the report. "We can say no more at this time." Several suspected accomplices of Ugurlu and another bomber who struck offices of London-based HSBC Bank were expected to be brought before a court to face charges Monday, the newspaper said. Eighteen people were detained after the attacks, which killed 30 people, including the bombers. Before the attacks, Ugurlu was named by the Turkish media as an accomplice to two suicide bombers who attacked synagogues in Istanbul on Nov. 15, killing 23 people. Two pickup trucks used to attack the Neve Shalom synagogue and the HSBC bank were bought by Ugurlu from the same dealer, Milliyet reported. One of the pickup trucks was registered in the name of Ugurluâs father, Ahmet Ugurlu, who has been interrogated by police, the paper added. Weâve seen the same lack of care on vehicle purchases in Bali, Indonesia, and Kenya. After the blasts, police traced them back to the bombers. Meanwhile, Turkish intelligence officials confirmed media reports that the countyâs top political and military leaders had ordered improvements in coordination between the MIT national intelligence service, police and the paramilitary gendarme force. That came amid media reports Sunday that intelligence lapses may have allowed Islamic militants the time to plan and launch the bombings. Not that the FBI has done much better. Turkish intelligence units were working hard to piece together the workings of what appeared to be well-coordinated terrorist operations. Officials said the authorities were examining a report that more than 1,000 Turkish radicals who fought in Chechnya, Bosnia and Afghanistan were in the country. Some of the radicals are believed to have trained in al-Qaida camps. Tap, tap.....nope. Posted by: Steve 2003-11-24 |
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