7 suspected al-Qaida get life - International Terrorism - MSNBC.com: "ISTANBUL, Turkey - A Turkish court on Friday sentenced seven suspected al-Qaida militants to life in prison for deadly 2003 suicide bombings in Istanbul that killed 58 people. The defendants, including Syrian Loa'i Mohammad Haj Bakr al-Saqa, were among 74 suspects standing trial in the attacks, which targeted two synagogues, the British consulate and a London-based bank.
The court acquitted 26 of the defendants, while sentencing the rest to prison terms ranging from three years and nine months to 18 years.
Al-Saqa, who was charged with masterminding the bombings, called on holy warriors to keep up their fight, declaring during final arguments Friday that 'victory is very near!'
'Hey, my hero brothers! Do not worry for me. Victory is very near!' he said in a brief statement to court.
'Beware, beware, don't give up for any reason!' he said, and also recited verses from the Quran."