China's anti-terrorism efforts: Xinjiang terrorist suspect tells his story

"The Turkish man took 80 lira from each of us. And an Arab man took from us 220 lira. The Arab man gave us a ride to his home, gave us tea and sweets. I was moved and thought he was serving fellow Muslims. But as we left, he charged us for what he had done. I then knew it was all about money."

Aftering arriving in Syria, Ekber was recruited into an armed group and started to train with them.

"Looking back on those days, I feel so regretful. The living conditions are harsh. I had seen Jihad videos, and had thought everything would like that. But things were totally different. Life was so difficult. Seven to eight people crammed in one small room. When it rained, mud went everywhere. "

"We couldn't do anything but stay in the room. I learned how to make explosive devices there. We depended on others for our living. The food and clothes were all delivered to us. We didn't have anyone to talk to."

Ekber's confusion only grew.

"What we wore were old clothes given to us by an Arab man. We fought to get them. We ate canned beef produced in Europe without the Halal mark. Muslims care about food. Seeing all this, I really can't understand why we stayed there, having to rely on others, eating and wearing everything they give. I really can't undersrand."

In three months, Ekber learnt how to use guns and make explosives. He was encouraged by Eli to carry out terrorist attacks in China.

"I came back with the intention to carry out bombings. I planned to raise some money first and then carry out the attack. "

Ekber snuck back to Turkey to make his return journey.

"It was not difficult to shuttle between Turkey and Syria. There was just a small river to cross without water. No other big barriers. I heard there were only two ways for jihadists to go to Syria, either via Iraq or Turkey. All European jihadists went to Syria through Turkey. "

At the beginning of this year, Ekber crossed back into China and started his preparations.

"I planned to make some money in Shijiazhuang city and search for explosive materials. I wanted to have enough money so that I can stay there. I wanted to bomb a shopping mall. My plan was to train others once I arrive in the city and instruct them to bomb other cities."

"Two days after he returned to China, Ekber phoned Eli via Talkbox. He told Eli that he arrived safely. The East Turkistan Islamic Movement congratulated him," police said.

Ekber thought nobody knew about his plot in the making. But then he was arrested. His parents had thought he was studying abroad. His father was travelling to see him in jail, when he died of a sudden illness on the way. Knowing the pain that he brought onto himself and his family, Ekber said he finally realised who jihad really hurts."

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