Saturday, March 13, 2004
Spain arrests 5
Right before an election, oddly enough.
Spain arrested three Moroccans and two Indians on Saturday in connection with the Madrid train bombings, the strongest indication yet of a possible Islamic link to the attack on one of Washington's staunchest allies in Iraq.
cebes, speaking at a news conference, said the five suspects were all arrested around Madrid. A spokesman for the Moroccan government identified the three Moroccans as as Jamal Zougam, 30; Mohamed Bekkali, 31, a mechanic; and Mohamed Chaoui, 34. All three are from northern Morocco, but the government gave no further details about them.
"One might have connections with Moroccan extremist groups. But it is still very early to establish to what degree," Acebes said. He did not name any group.
Asked whether the Basque separatist group ETA is still considered a suspect, Acebes said: "We must not rule anything out."
The five suspects were arrested after a gym bag packed with explosives and a cell phone was discovered on one of the four bombed rush-hour trains, the minister said. The attacks killed 200 people and injured 1,500.
Acebes did not mention al-Qaida. "Police are still investigating all avenues. This opens an important avenue," he said.
(via AP)
