Search On for Accomplices in Bulgaria Bombing
Bulgarian police are still searching for accomplices to the suicide bomber that killed six on an Israeli tour bus in Burgas.
One accomplice is believed to have been a backup for the suicide bomber, the Novinite.com website reported, and is likely to still be in Bulgaria, possibly with another bomb. The second was set to shoot the other two if they were captured by, or turned themselves in to, the police. They reportedly were both on hand at the airport at the time of the attack.
The suicide bomber, who was dressed like an American tourist and carried a fake Michigan drivers’ license, has not yet officially been identified, though he is reported to be a Swedish Muslim who spent time at Guantanamo Bay.
Bulgarian media reported that eyewitnesses to the attack described two distinct people when asked to describe the bomber, leading to the theory that the bomber had back-up. The second attacker may be an American named David Jefferson, according to reports.
An unknown group calling itself a Qaedat al-Jihad has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Belgian Foreign Ministry has denied the claim, saying that the Iranian-backed Hezbollah perpetrated the attack, a claim backed up by the United States and Israel.
“Our people are working around the clock with their Bulgarian counterparts; as well as with other leading intelligence services from around the world. In the meantime it is clear that the terror attack was directed by Hezbollah,” Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Sunday morning. “It is clear that at least one other person was involved – maybe more – whose identity is not Middle Eastern; probably intentionally. All other additional details remain unclear. The suicide bomber was a ‘misled fool’; who sent him to act… who else took part in the act… These things will become clear over the course of the next few weeks.”
Barak added: “There is no doubt that we are facing a global terror campaign, against Israel in particular, with Hezbollah at its center, inspired by Iran. Unfortunately, however, there are many other players.”
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