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| Guilty conscience causes Moroccan al-Qaeda to surrender |
| 2004-03-01 |
| While security forces remain on high alert due to the terrorist attacks by Al Qaeda last Novemeber, the Istanbul Police have been trying to solve the secret of a mysterious Moroccan for the past month. It is known that the Moroccan, Zakaria Soubah, entered Turkey through Syria on January 30th. He then Came to Istanbul from Hatay by bus, and began staying at Bergama Hotel in Laleli. He then went to the Fatih District Police Department on February 11th with the intention of surrendering to the authorities. He said he had reconnoitered the Israeli Consulate and collected intelligence for Al Qaeda. When asked, ’Why did you surrender?’, Soubah replied, "I have a guilty conscience, that is why I have surrendered to the police." The police were weary at first, believing that the Moroccan might have been lying in order to seek refuge. "If you made up such a story to be deported, we can arrange that," said the interrogating officer to Soubah, "We can send you to Morocco via the foreigners unit." However, Soubah persisted with his claims. The Istanbul Anti-Terrorism Unit interrogated him for four days. Soubah was eventually confronted with the Israeli Consulate security officers and they were able to positively identify the Moroccan. Soubah maintained that he had been ordered to Istanbul to perform reconnaissance on the Israeli Consulate. Upon arriving at his hotel in Laleli, he asked for the Israel Consulate’s telephone number from the receptionist. Soubah paid $10 for the number and then went to Yapi Kredi Placa C Block, where the consulate is located. He explored the plaza and discovered that the 7th floor was protected very well. Soubah then disclosed that he met with a person code named Usama at the Great Hamit Hotel. During their meeting Soubah gave Usama the news, "It is impossible to attack the Israel Consulate. It is protected very well." After Usama received this news he gave some money and a red passport to Soubah. Usama then said to Soubah, "We will meet in front of the Sheraton Hotel in Washington a week later." Soubah said that his ties with AL Qaeda began during the time when the Moroccan was working at a PVC factory in Tripoli, Lybia. It was in Libya that Soubah first met the man codenamed Usama. Usama provided Soubah with US$100 a month while the Moroccan was working in Libya. The National Intelligence Agency (MIT) has become involved in the case and is trying to track down the suspected Libyan Al Qaeda militant, Usama. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #2 If I had a guilty conscience, I would surrender also .. in Canada. Their inmates live better than our soldiers. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-3-1 10:07:36 PM |
| #1 he gave some money and a red passport to Soubah I think Soubah told this yarn to explain why he has a false passport. |
| Posted by: Mike Sylwester 2004-3-1 7:08:32 AM |