Police tightened security around a prison and courthouse for the trial of Loa'i Mohammad Haji Bakr al-Saqa.Sharpshooters stood guard on top of buildings near the courthouse in central İstanbul as a police helicopter hovered above. Police trucks and armored personnel carriers guarded a road leading to the court.
Dozens of police vehicles traveled in convoys to guard a prison van transporting al-Saqa from his prison in nearby Kocaeli province to İstanbul.
Prosecutors have demanded life imprisonment for al-Saqa, 32, who is accused of giving Turkish militants about $170,000 to carry out the attacks. Prosecutors said Osama bin Laden had personally ordered al-Saqa to organize the plot. In Turkish courts, prosecutors make sentencing requests before judges reach a verdict.
Al-Saqa is among 72 suspected al-Qaeda militants on trial for their alleged involvement in the suicide bombings which took place on Nov. 15 and Nov. 20, 2003. Defense lawyers were scheduled to make final arguments at Thursday's hearing. The Syrian last appeared in court in November.
Benzer Haberler 
National
