Turkish police and secret service agents have captured a Turkish man suspected of planning the suicide truck bombings that killed 62 people in Istanbul after meeting with Osama bin Laden.
Mr Adnan Ersoz, who said he received explosive training in al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan in 2001 and 2002, was captured in Istanbul on Tuesday, an official said in the capital Ankara. Police confirmed Mr Ersoz's capture in Istanbul.
"He is one of the top guys who met with bin Laden and received his blessing for the attacks," the intelligence official said.
Intelligence officials have already named Mr Habip Aktas and Mr Ibrahim Kus as two conspirators who met with bin Laden in 2002 and received his consent and approval to stage terrorist attacks in Turkey.
It was not clear if Mr Ersoz participated that meeting or met separately with bin Laden, the official said.
Mr Ersoz was expected to be charged with involvement in the bombings later today. The official said that Mr Ersoz was believed to be a go-between for al-Qaeda and Turkish militants. Mr Aktas and Mr Kus are still at large.
AP