Gary Fitleberg, December 30, 2003

Al Qaeda provided financing for suspected terrorists with $150,000 to carry out the attacks in Istanbul, Turkey that killed 62 people, according to the confession of Adnan Ersoz who will be tried with treason.

Ersoz is believed to be a Senior member of Al Qaeda in Turkey. Police believe he was a link between the homicide bombers and the terrorist network. Ersoz’s confession was leaked by police sources to the media.

Ersoz told police in his confession that an Iranian sent him $50,000 by courier and that he later contacted Habip Aktas, the alleged head of Al Qaeda in Turkey, to get $100,000 more for the attackers.

"I followed the necessary financing for the attacks, which I thought would be carried out against U.S. targets," the newspaper Hurriyet quoted Ersoz as telling interrogators.

The bombers hit two synagogues November 15th and the British Consulate and offices of a London-based bank five days later.

In court, Ersoz denied that he’s had advance knowledge of the attacks or that he had received orders from Osama bin Laden, according to the Anatolian news agency. However, Ersoz acknowledged receiving military training in Afghanistan in 1997 and admitted meeting with Bin Laden in Kandahar, Afghanistan during 2001, the agency reported.

Authorities had said earlier that Ersoz told investigators that he and Aktas had met with Bin Laden in Kandahar before the September 11 attacks and that they had decided to attack Turkey’s Incirlik Air Base, used by the U.S. military. Tight security made them change their target apparently.

Ersoz was detained when he entered the country at Istanbul’s airport. Ersoz was persuaded by police to fly from Iran’s refuge and safe haven, according to Hurriyet.

Police had learned from another suspected terrorist, Fevzi Yitiz, that Ersoz regretted his role in the attacks because most of the victims were Turkish Muslims. Both suspected terrorists met in Iran after the attacks.

The newspapers reported Ersoz wanted to take advantage of a government amnesty that would benefit those who gave authorities information about illegal organizations.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2003 Gary Fitleberg