ISTANBUL - Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler has said, ''DNA tests unveiled that Ilyas Kuncak, 47, had conducted the bomb attack on HSBC Bank headquarters in Istanbul on November 20, 2003.''
Holding a press conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport late on Sunday following a 20-minute meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Guler said, ''those who staged the dual suicide attacks on HSBC Bank headquarters and the British Consulate General in Istanbul on November 20 were identified. Earlier, we announced that Feridun Ugurlu had conducted the bomb attack on the British Consulate building. DNA tests unveiled that Ilyas Kuncak from Ankara had staged the bomb attack on HSBC Bank headquarters. As a result, all four terrorists were identified.''
''It was revealed that there was a direct connection between the first attacks on two synagogues and the second attacks. Works have still been continuing to find out foreign connections of these terrorists. A total of 21 people have been detained so far. 16 people have still been under detention at Istanbul Anti-Terrorism Department. Since the first bombings, 133 people have been interrogated. We have taken into consideration a likely connection between the first and the second attacks from the very beginning. We could not find any evidence about involvement of terrorist organization of Hezbollah in the bombings. However, when we look at the target and method of the actions, and those who conducted, planned, aided and abetted, these two bombings are parallel with each other,'' he said.
Guler distributed the list of bombers and their photographs to press members.
Upon a question, Guler said, ''there are certain affinities in the first and second bombings. And these affinities point out Al-Qaida terrorist network. However, we should find out all evidences in order to make an official statement.''
Guler said that connections of suicide bombers with terrorist organizations could not be certainly revealed yet.
Upon another question, Guler told reporters that exchange of information between Turkey and some countries, which Turkey signed security cooperation agreements, had been continuing in coordination.
Istanbul Police Chief Celalettin Cerrah was also in attendance at the press conference.
A total of 57 people lost their lives while more than 700 others were wounded in four suicide attacks on Jewish and British targets in Istanbul on November 15 and 20, 2003.
(UK) 01.12.2003