Trial of 9 in Istanbul attacks nears end
Nine suspected al-Qaida militants charged in the 2003 Istanbul suicide bombings that killed 58 people gave final statements in court Friday as their trial drew to a close, with one telling supporters: “Don’t give up for any reason!” The attacks on Nov. 15 and Nov. 20, 2003, targeted two synagogues, the British consulate and a London-based bank. Nine of the 73 suspects — including Syrian Loa’i Mohammad Haj Bakr al-Saqa, the alleged mastermind of the suicide bombings — appeared in court. In his statement, al-Saqa called on “holy warriors” to keep fighting. Full Story