5
DETAINED IN MADRID BOMB INVESTIGATION
14 March 2004
The
Spanish government has announced it arrested 5 men
in connection with evidence related to Thursday's
bomb attacks in Madrid. 3 of the men are Moroccans,
2 carry Indian passports but may be Spanish citizens
of Indian origin. The suspects were found after a
cell-phone designed to serve as a detonator for one
of the 3 unexploded backpack bombs was linked to them.
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UPDATE:
16 March 2004
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» 6 Moroccan Suspects Identified by
Spanish Government |
| »
Jamal Zougam is said to be linked to 9/11
plot; reports say Spanish government was
warned he was in country [For more: ElPeriodico] |
|
Thousands
of protesters gathered outside the ruling party's
HQ on Saturday to demand answers, alleging political
motives for shying from an Al Qaeda connection. The
Interior Minister has continued to say that the investigation
is focused on ETA, but there is doubt across the country
as to whether the ruling party has indulged in the
political opportunity to blame someone other than
Al Qaeda, in order to deflect attention away from
its unpopular participation in Iraq (against 90% opposition
from the Spanish people), and ease the negative impact
of that issue in Sunday's elections.
A
new videotape has surfaced, in which a spokesperson
claiming to represent Al Qaeda reportedly takes responsibility
for Thursday's train bombings. The Spanish government,
has said it is looking into the claims, but that it
is too soon to accept it as true. Many observers believe
that story may change, once the elections have been
completed and the new government is able to feel secure
about the political meaning of such evidence.
