Police arrested seven people Monday in nationwide raids targeting a suspected Islamic terror ring that was reportedly preparing for an attack. Police described the detainees as suspected members of an active Islamic militant group, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. "The ring is composed of Muslims that are residents in Spain," the statement said. It added that the suspects allegedly were in contact with people elsewhere in Europe, the United States and Australia.
| It'll be nice to roll them up, too... |
The private news agency Europa Press, citing police in charge of the case, reported that the arrests were made after police detected conversations in which the suspects referred to preparations for an attack with explosives. In the conversations, it was unclear whether the suspects already had the explosives, according to Europa Press. Those arrested included at least four Algerians and one Moroccan in Madrid, El Ejido, Gandia, Malaga and Almeria. They were identified as Smail Latrech, Ali Omar "Jelloul", Djamel Merabet, Mourat Yala "Abu Anas," Ahmed Mohamed and Magid Mchmacha. One remained unidentified. Monday's operation was ordered by Judge Baltasar Garzon of Spain's National Court, which handles terrorism cases.
| Fox News sez the court was the intended target. Garzon's been pretty active in chasing the thugs down and they wanted to bump him off... |
Police said the operation was still open and that they don't rule out more arrests or home searches. Separately, the El Pais newspaper reported that Spanish intelligence agents warned police in November 2003 that an Algerian now identified as a ringleader of the Madrid train bombings was preparing an attack in Spain. The agents asked the Interior Ministry for urgent help in locating the suspect, Allekema Lamari, who had served jail time in Spain on terrorism charges and was considered dangerous. But the ministry did not heed the warning, the newspaper said, quoting sources close to the National Intelligence Center. |