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| Middle East |
| Attempted hijacker questioned in Turkey... |
| 2002-11-18 |
| An Israeli-Arab man who tried to storm the cockpit of an Israeli jetliner told interrogators he wanted to crash the plane into a Tel Aviv building in a Sept. 11-like attack, Turkey's private NTV television reported Monday. Not very original, is he? Security guards aboard the airliner on Sunday overpowered the man, who was apparently armed with a pocket knife and threatened a stewardess. None of the 170 passengers on board the Boeing 757 were harmed and the plane landed safely.The suspect, identified by the semi-official Anatolia news agency as 23-year-old Israeli Arab, Tawfiq Fukra, was being questioned by anti-terrorism squads in Istanbul. Anatolia quoted Fukra as telling interrogators he had "carried out the action to protest" against Israel. Turkish anti-terrorism squads have magnificent moustachios. They've been making the finest truncheons in the world since 1483. Army Radio quoted Fukra's father, Salah, as saying his son shouldn't be called a hijacker just because he fought with a stewardess. Okay Cakirlar, an official at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport, said El Al Flight 581 sent out a hijacking signal as it approached Istanbul. The man first threatened a flight attendant with a knife and then kicked the door of the cockpit but the door was locked, some passengers said. Security guards posing as a passengers subdued him, they said. "Nope. Nope. M'boy's not a hijacker. He's, ummm... something else." He said his son was going to Turkey for vacation. Looks like it'll be a lo-o-o-o-o-ng vacation. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #3 Interesting side bit to all of this is that this guy will wish he was in an Israeli jail. Ever since the latest infitada, their are no paleo's left working construction or services in Israel (where they use to dominate, much like the Irish navvies in the UK). Their place has been take by Israel's second best friend in the world - you guessed it - Turkey. |
| Posted by: Jack 2002-11-19 07:55:28 |
| #2 What was that movie about Turkish prisons? Or, will they quietly extradite him to Israel? Kemal's, makers of fine truncheons since 1483. Truncheon maker to emirs and pashas. When you care enought to use the very best. |
| Posted by: Chuck 2002-11-18 14:06:16 |
| #1 wonder if he's seen Midnight Express? heh heh |
| Posted by: Frank G 2002-11-18 14:04:39 |