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A ‘Strange’ Al Qaeda Leader: “I Don’t Pray, I Drink Alcohol’
By Journal of Turkish Weekly
08/15/05 "Journal
of Turkish Weekly" -- -- ANKARA - Luai Sakra, one of the 5 most important key figures in Al Qaeda, was captured last week by Turkish Police. Israel police was almost spoiling all operation, Turkish officials say. Sakra, who has been interrogated in Istanbul Police Department Anti Terror Office for 4 days has made many interesting confessions. He noted that he knew Muhammad Ata, planner of the attacks on the WTI and Pentagon. Sakra claimed that he has organized terrorist activities for Jihad but he said that he drinks alcohol and does not pray.
* Al Qaeda Militant Luai Sakra, arrested for organizing the double bomb attacks in Istanbul on 15-23 November, has claimed to have played a role in the September 11 attacks to World Trade Center (WTI) in New York.
* Sakra claimed that he helped the militants who involved the 9/11 Attacks. Sarka said: “I provided them passport and other things.”
* Sarka said: “I was one of the people who knew the perpetrators of September 11, and knew the time and plan before the attacks. I also participated in the preparations for the attacks to WTI and Pentagon. I provided money and passports.”
* Some of the passports, which Sakra claimed to have provided himself, were strangely found in the ruins of WTI.
”I DON’T PRAY”
* Sakra: “I do not pray. I drink alcohol and like very much drinking”
* Turkish police asked Sakra whether he like to pray after the operation. But he rejected the offer and said “I do not pray. I do not like praying”.
* “I do drink alcohol and I prefer like whisky and wine” Sakra added.
* Remarkable anecdotes have emerged between Sakra and the police during his interrogation. The Security Directorate officials told Sakra that he might perform his religious practices to have a better dialogue with him and to gain his confidence. "I do not pray. I also drink alcohol," Sakra told officials. Officials said Adnan Ersoz and Harun Ilhan, who were detained for connections to the Istanbul attacks, had perfomed their religious practices. The police said such an attitude at the top-level of al-Qaeda was confusing. Security officials noted the al-Qaeda militant has been undergoing psychological therapy and said the following about Sakra: "He has an intellect of a genius. He might develop plans according to momentary situation. There were medicines on him for his illness when he was arrested. He is still undergoing therapy either for manic-depression or panic attacks. He has no university degree but there are doctors and engineers among his siblings. He says he is of Turkish-origin."
“I KNEW LONDON ATTACK”
* Sakra also confessed that he knew the London attack before the assaults happened.
* Sakra however claims that he knew nothing about the Egypt bombings. Luai Sakra, who is said to be one of the 5 most important members of Al Qaeda, said that he had no connection with the attacks in Sharm Al Sheikh, where 88 people were killed.
* Turkey on the other hand is not happy with the Israeli terrorism warnings before the operation. Turkish officials argue that Israel used the secret intelligence Turkey provided to warn the public. “However, it may had spoiled all the operation, and all the militants might escape” one of the security man said. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul also said “what is Israel made is a shame”. Israel had warned its citizens not to visit Turkey last week because of the Al Qaeda risk.
* Sakra was detained after forged passports were discovered in a flat. Turkish police continues the investigation.
* Confessions of Sakra, who was interrogated at the Istanbul Anti-Terror Directorate, have not been turned into an official statement. Sakra's conversations with police were written down as an official report signed by officials participating in his interrogation, but Sakra is using his right of silence.
JTW with Zaman and Hurriyet
Copyright: Journal of Turkish Weekly
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