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'Blind Sheikh' Omar Abdel-Rahman dies in US aged 79

Egyptian 'Blind Sheikh' jailed in U.S. for alleged role in masterminding 1993 World Trade Center bombing

18.02.2017 - Update : 20.02.2017
'Blind Sheikh' Omar Abdel-Rahman dies in US aged 79

ANKARA 

Egyptian Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, the founder and the spiritual leader of the Cairo-based Gamaa Islamiya (Islamic Group) movement, died at the age of 79 in U.S., his son announced Saturday.

"The U.S. authorities have told my family that my father passed away," his son Muhammad told Anadolu Agency. 

Also known as "Blind Sheikh", Abdel-Rahman had been sentenced to life imprisonment in U.S. for his alleged role in masterminding the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. 

*Reporting by Zeynep Tufekci; Writing by Fatma Bulbul 


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