ADANA CONSULATE ATTACKER CONVICTED,

UNCLAS ADANA 0270 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS PGOV PHUM TU IZ ADANA SUBJECT: ADANA CONSULATE ATTACKER CONVICTED, SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS ¶1. (U) The Adana Second Felony Court gave its final verdict at the October 16 hearing. The court initially imposed a sentence of six years imprisonment and a fine of 346,783,000 TL (approximately 230 USD) but taking his good behavior and confession into account, reduced his sentence by one-sixth to 5 years and 288,985,000 TL (approximately 285 USD). The defendant has the right to appeal the decision and was represented by counsel at the hearing. ¶2. (U) Cumali Kizilkoca attacked the US Consulate in Adana with hand grenades on June 11, ¶2003. Consulate guards subdued the attacker and surrendered him to the duty TNP at the Consulate. Based on questioning of the assailant, the attacker had no bonds with any terrorist organization. Kizilkoca expressed his anger at Israel's attacks on Palestinians and wanted to take revenge from the Israelis. Because there was no Israeli diplomatic mission in Adana, he attacked the US Consulate instead. ¶3. (SBU) At the hearing (which was attended by POLOFF and POL LES),it was discovered that Cumali Kizilkoca, who was previously convicted of another crime by the Ninth Peace Court of Criminal Jurisdiction, was on probation subsequent to a recent general amnesty when he attacked the Consulate. REID