ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BOMBING AT TURKISH MINISTRY OF

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