Reports: Top al-Qaida official met with Istanbul suicide attack suspects
Ankara, Turkey-AP -- Turkish newspapers are reporting that Osama bin Laden's right-hand-man met with two key suspects before deadly suicide bombings in Istanbul. The blasts killed 61 people. One newspaper ("Hurriyet") reports that the main suspects met with bin Laden's top lieutenant (Ayman al-Zawahiri) several times.
Police wouldn't comment on the reports, but officials say the suicide bombers were linked to al-Qaida.
More than 130 people have been detained in connection with the bombings and 21 people have been charged, most with aiding or membership in an illegal organization.
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