Syrian rebel groups sought sarin gas material, Turkish prosecutors say

Syrian rebel groups sought sarin gas material, Turkish prosecutors say http://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/syrian-rebel-groups-sought-sarin-gas-material-turkish-prosecutors-say-1.241179

By Patrick J. McDonnell

Los Angeles Times

Published: September 13, 2013

 

BEIRUT — Prosecutors in southern Turkey have alleged that Syrian rebel groups were seeking to buy materials that could be used to produce highly toxic sarin gas, Turkish media reported Friday.

 

An indictment issued in the southern city of Adana alleged that a Syrian national identified as Hytham Qassap, 35, was in Turkey trying to procure chemical materials for a pair of well-known Islamist rebel blocs, Al Nusra Front and the Ahrar al-Sham Brigades, the reports said. Washington has designated Al Nusra Front as a terrorist group linked to Al Qaeda.

 

Neither group is affiliated with the U.S.-backed Free Syrian Army.