Trial starts for al Qaeda bomb suspect in Istanbul

ISTANBUL, Mar 20 (Reuters) A Syrian al Qaeda militant went on trial in Turkey today, charged with masterminding bomb attacks on nagogues, the British consulate and an HSBC bank branch which killed more than 60 people in Istanbul.

Louai al Sakka is charged with masterminding and securing finance for the bombings in November 2003. A Turkish al Qaeda cell claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Some 70 people are already on trial in connection with the bombings.

At today's hearing, dozens of police kept tight security outside the courtroom. The judge ordered Sakka to leave the court after he refused to stand to make his defence.

''It is against my beliefs to stand for people like you,'' CNN Turk quoted Sakka as saying. ''I carried out jihad (holy war). I killed Americans. Am I going to stand up for people like you,'' he shouted as he was taken out of the court room.

The court also banned Sakka's lawyer Osman Karahan from representing his client as he has been charged with aiding and abetting al Qaeda.

Security sources have said Sakka, a bomb-making expert, was the top figure in Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network in Turkey.

Sakka was apprehended in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir in August as he attempted to board a plane for Istanbul under an assumed name, security sources said.

REUTERS DKS VC1928