Turkish police 'smash al-Qaida cell'

Police have smashed an al-Qaida cell blamed for the suicide bombings that killed 62 people in Istanbul last month, the Turkish city’s governor said today.

Most of the militants have been captured and more than 1,000 lbs of explosives, including the military explosive RDX, recovered, said Muammer Guler

“These explosives were going to be used in other attacks. Their discovery prevented that,” Guler said.

Istanbul Police Chief Celalettin Cerrah said the seized explosive was enough to make three or four truck bombs.

Guler said police also discovered more details about last month’s attacks, which targeted two synagogues, a London-based bank and the British Consulate.

The dead included the British consul.

“All dimensions of the attacks from the planning to activating have been exposed by the Istanbul police. They were carried out by the elements of al-Qaida who were trying to create a structure in Turkey,” he said.

Guler said about 160 people have been arrested and 35 of them have been charged for involvement in the bombing so far.

Ten other suspects, including a key member identified as Harun Ilhan, were expected to face charges today.

Guler, however, said five or seven leading members of al-Qaida’s structure in Turkey were at large and were believed to be abroad.

Reports have suggested that some members could be in Iraq, but Guler said it was not clear where they were.

But Guler said the group accused of the bombings was no longer a threat.

“There is no need to fear. Any attack by this group here has totally been prevented. This group is totally dismantled,” Guler said.

It was not clear whether there were any other al-Qaida cells operating in Turkey.

Guler said al-Qaida had been organising in Turkey for the past year or two.

He said most suspected members who were detained underwent training in Afghanistan or Pakistan.

He said Turkish security forces were still taking security measures for New Year’s Eve as usual.

A leaked police document earlier this week warned that terrorists may be planning attacks at against US, Israeli and eastern targets in Turkey in the week between Christmas and New Year.