Turkey Seeks to Extradite 2 Detained in Iraq

ANKARA, Turkey —  The government of Turkey has asked Iraq to extradite two suspected Turkish Islamic militants held in Abu Ghraib prison so it can try them in connection with the 2003 Istanbul suicide bombings that killed more than 60 people, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

Turkey’s Justice Ministry asked Iraqi authorities in June to extradite suspects Sadettin Akdas and Burhan Kus, and Iraqi authorities were evaluating documents about the suspects, the Foreign Ministry statement said.

Media reports Wednesday said the two had been captured this year during fighting near the northern Iraqi town of Tall Afar.

Kus, 32, has been indicted by Turkish prosecutors on suspicion that he helped build the Istanbul truck bombs. Akdas, 22, is accused of being a member of the terrorist cell that helped carry out the attacks.

The blasts in November 2003 targeted two synagogues and, five days later, the British Consulate and a London-based bank. Most of the victims were identified as Turkish Muslims.