Seven jailed for Istanbul bombings

A Turkish court sentenced seven suspected al-Qaida members to life in prison for helping to carry out bomb attacks against Jewish and British targets. The seven defendants, including one Syrian, were sentenced last Friday for their roles in the 2003 suicide bombings against two synagogues, the British consulate and a British-owned bank in Istanbul. Dozens died in the attacks, which were claimed by a Turkish wing of al-Qaida. The Syrian defendant, Louai Sakka, was arrested in 2005 on suspicion of plotting to ram explosives into an ocean liner carrying Israeli tourists to Turkey. He has yet to be tried on those charges. Prosecutors voiced satisfaction with the sentences but said they could still be appealed.