Attacks targeting Synagogues Case Starts

Tight security measures were taken in and around the Istanbul DGM before the trial of suspects who are claimed to have been involved in those four suicide truck bomb attacks and carried out activities for international terrorist organization Al-Qaeda in Turkey.

Only twelve suspects were brought before the court for the first day of hearing. The first hearing is expected to last five days because the number of defendants has reached 69.

Istanbul suffered a series of devastating suicide truck bomb attacks targeting Neve Shalom Synagogue and Beth Israel Synagogue on November 15, 2003 and on HSBC Bank headquarters and British Consulate General in Istanbul on November 20, 2003 in which 61 people were killed and more than 700 people were injured.

Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for those attacks. Turkish police captured 69 people in connection with the suicide attacks. (MS/AÖ/YE)