In other words, Louai al Sakka and others believe they are in striking distance of overthrowing the secular government in Turkey. “‘It is time for jihad’,” from News24:
Istanbul – A Syrian al-Qaeda militant on trial for masterminding suicide bomb attacks on Jewish and British targets that killed more than 60 people in Istanbul in 2003 called on supporters on Friday to wage a holy war.
Louai al Sakka is charged with planning and securing finance for the truck bombings of two synagogues, the British consulate and a branch of HSBC bank in November 2003 – one of Turkey’s worst episodes of peacetime violence.
A Turkish cell in the al-Qaeda network claimed responsibility for the attacks.
“We are close to victory. The time for jihad (holy war) has come, but don’t worry about me. I will get out, then I will once again join your jihad,” Sakka said in court ahead of a final verdict.
Nine out of some 70 people on trial on charges related to the bombings were in court. The court is expected to deliver its verdict later on Friday on at least some of the defendants.
It did, and CNN reports that Sakka and six others received life sentences. More from al Sakka and another defendant in that article:
“Beware, beware, don’t give up for any reason!” he said, and also recited verses from the Koran.
[…]
A third defendant, Harun Ilhan, who has taken responsibility for the bombings, criticized Turkey’s secular system and expressed hope for the establishment of an Islamic state.
“We know that one day this regime will crumble and an Islamic regime will be established,” he said. Turkey’s government has Islamic roots, but its leaders are moderate and the powerful military is viewed as a champion of secular rule.
“Before the day comes that you wish you were Muslims… I invite you to become Muslims,” Ilhan said in his address, reflecting his belief that most Turks are not devout followers of Islam.
“I invite you to Allah’s religion, Islam,” he repeated over and over.
“I am not a theoretician of al-Qaeda. I am a warrior,” the state-run Anatolia news agency quoted Ilhan as saying Friday.