Leaked Papers Warn of New Attacks in Turkey
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
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ANKARA, Turkey — Police fear militants have infiltrated Turkey (search) to organize attacks on U.S., Israeli or Western interests or Istanbul's most popular shopping mall, according to an intelligence document made public Tuesday.
Istanbul police chief Celalettin Cerrah said in a statement that the leaked document was an internal intelligence document aimed at "preventing possible attacks and warning (police) units to be vigilant and to be more sensitive."
A copy of the document dated Dec. 22 was obtained by The Associated Press. It follows homicide bombings in November that targeted two synagogues, the British Consulate and a London-based bank. Those attacks killed 62 people, including the bombers.
"It is being detected that the preparations for a large-scale third wave of attacks to follow up the suicide bombings has been completed," said the document signed by two senior police officials, including the head of the Istanbul security department.
"Some of those who will carry out the attacks entered Turkey from Syria, and the others were preparing to enter," it said.
Cerrah said the document was erroneously sent to the security departments of several private companies, adding that the police officer responsible has been reassigned.
The document was being circulated Tuesday through e-mail by staffers of the private companies.
The leaked document warned of possible attacks against Western and Israeli targets, as well as the popular Akmerkez shopping mall (search).
It said that Habip Aktas (search), a key suspect in the November bombings, was among those planning the new attacks. Captured militants have identified Aktas as the head of Al Qaeda in Turkey.
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