Reuters AlertNet Lite - Turkey jails gang that plotted to kill Bush-agency

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Turkey jails gang that plotted to kill Bush-agency

26 Jan 2007 16:30:54 GMT
Source: Reuters

ISTANBUL, Jan 26 (Reuters) - A Turkish court jailed seven Islamist militants for being part of an armed gang that plotted to kill U.S. President George W. Bush during a 2004 NATO summit, a news agency said on Friday.

The seven men were sentenced for being members of Ansar al-Islam, a radical group believed to have links to al Qaeda, and not specifically for conspiring to assassinate Bush, the private Dogan News agency reported.

The gang was captured after police in the western Turkish city of Bursa, backed by intelligence agents, launched an operation against them in April 2004 ahead of the NATO summit held in Istanbul in June of that year.

In searches of the defendants' homes and offices, police found explosives and other bomb-making materials in addition to pistols and rifles.

During questioning, the men admitted to planning to carry out a suicide bombing against Bush.

Alpaslan Toprak was jailed for 12-1/2 years for being an armed gang leader, while six other defendants were sentenced to six years three months in prison for membership of the group.

Another 13 defendants were acquitted.

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Last updated:Fri Jan 26 16:31:52 2007