MADRID-The all-parliamentary commission into events surrounding SpainÂŽs worst terrorist attack is to hear controversial evidence which will re-open bitter wounds over last yearÂŽs general election. The inquiry will see a controversial video made by the FAES foundation headed by former prime minister Jose Maria Aznar, in which the Socialists were accused of stirring up trouble before their shock election victory three days after the 11 March bombings. This video had caused a political row last week reopening some of the bitter wounds caused by the SocialistsÂŽunexpected election victory.
The Popular Party(PP) had asked to hear militant socialist deputy Fernando Huarte give evidence before the inquiry about his alleged prison meetings with Islamic extremist Abdelkrim Benesmail, who is being held in custody. Huarte was said to have had secret jail meetings with Benesmail, who is said to be close to Allekema Lamari, one of the leaders of the group which launched the Madrid bombings. Well, isn't that interesting | In the rush-hour bombings, 191 people were killed and 1,500 more injured. The PP has claimed that Huarte has been working for the Spanish secret service, the CNI, while visiting Benesmail in prison for so-called humanitarian reasons. A maverick, Huarte has been a former head of the Spanish Palestinian Support Association. The PP also asked for a number of high-ranking intelligence officers, including Jorge Dezcallar, ex-director general of the CNI, and his successor Alberto Saiz and two cabinet ministers to give evidence. The controversial commission, which has been criticised for political infighting, has rejected these requests. But they are to hear taped conversations between Huarte and the Islamic suspect when the commission sits again on 19 April. |