This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS ANKARA 003819
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE TERREP
DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER & OPERATIONS CENTER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT ASEC CASC PREL PTER TU
SUBJECT: ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BOMBING AT TURKISH MINISTRY OF
JUSTICE IN ANKARA
1. (SBU) On Friday, 1 July 2005 at approximately 0930 hours
(Local), a male subject, 25-30 years old, attempting to enter
the Turkish Ministry of Justice in Ankara repeatedly set off
the magnetometer he passed through to gain entrance to the
building. As the Turkish National Police (TNP) prepared to
search him, the subject attempted to detonate an explosive
device on his body. The TNP reports that the fuse failed to
detonate the explosives and the TNP immediately placed
handcuffs on the subject. Despite being handcuffed, the
subject fled the Ministry of Justice Building in the
direction of the Old Prime Ministry Building approximately
one hundred meters away. The TNP officers fired warning
shots, but when the subject failed to stop, the TNP shot the
subject. A TNP EOD team responded to the scene and
reportedly removed two explosive devices from the subject's
body. Multiple news reports also state that an
identification card with the name Muharrem Akyurt was found
on the body of the subject. At this time, there is no
further information on the identity of the subject, nor on
the explosive devices. There are no reported casualties
other than subject who was shot by the TNP. Media report
that the subject was killed, but this has not been officially
confirmed.
2. (SBU) RSO Ankara suspects that the target of the suspected
suicide bomber was the Turkish Ministry of Justice. It has
been reported that the Justice Minister was in the building
at the time. At this time, no terrorist organizations have
claimed responsibility for the attempted bombing. Two
AmEmbassy Ankara employees (one American FSO and one FSN)
were at the Ministry of Justice when this incident occurred.
Both employees have safely returned to the Embassy.
3. (SBU) The DS Command Center and State Department
Operations Center were notified of this incident via
telephone at approximately 0945 hours (Local). RSO Ankara
will closely follow the TNP's investigation of this incident
over the coming days. Point of contact is ARSO Jason Griffin
at 90-312-455-5555 ext. 2599.
MCELDOWNEY