Seven Islamic militants jailed for life over Istanbul attacks

Published on Saturday 17 February 2007 12:02

A TURKISH court has sentenced seven suspected al-Qaida militants to life in prison for the deadly 2003 bombings in Istanbul

The attacks on November 20 targeted the HSBC bank offices and the British Consulate. They came just five days after the city's Beth Israel and Neve Shalom synagogues were attacked by the same cell.

Suicide bombers detonated car bombs outside HSBC offices and the British Consulate killing three Britons, including consul general Roger Short, 58. In total 30 people died and more than 400 were injured on November 20. The overall death toll was 58 people, not including the four suicide bombers.

The seven men sentenced to life, including Syrian Loa'i Mohammad Haj Bakr al-Saqa, were among 74 suspects standing trial for their alleged involvement in the attacks.

The court acquitted 26 defendants while sentencing the rest to various prison terms between three years nine months and 18 years.

Al-Saqa was charged with masterminding the bombings.

In the UK, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett welcomed the sentences, saying:

"These were abhorrent acts, two of which specifically targeted British interests."