This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6363149.stm
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 7 | Version 8 |
---|---|
Madrid train bombing trial begins | Madrid train bombing trial begins |
(40 minutes later) | |
The trial of 29 people accused of involvement in train bombings that killed 191 people in March 2004 has begun in the Spanish capital, Madrid. | The trial of 29 people accused of involvement in train bombings that killed 191 people in March 2004 has begun in the Spanish capital, Madrid. |
Seven of the suspects, most of whom are Moroccan, will face charges of murder and belonging to a terrorist group. | Seven of the suspects, most of whom are Moroccan, will face charges of murder and belonging to a terrorist group. |
The first defendant, Rabei Osman, said he did not recognise the charges and refused to answer questions. | |
More than 1,700 people were injured in the multiple bomb attacks, which targeted four Madrid rush-hour trains. | More than 1,700 people were injured in the multiple bomb attacks, which targeted four Madrid rush-hour trains. |
Investigators in Spain have attributed the attacks to a local cell of Islamic extremists inspired by al-Qaeda. | Investigators in Spain have attributed the attacks to a local cell of Islamic extremists inspired by al-Qaeda. |
Plea refusal | |
The case is Europe's biggest trial of alleged Islamic militants. It is expected to last several months and hear from hundreds of witnesses and police experts. | The case is Europe's biggest trial of alleged Islamic militants. It is expected to last several months and hear from hundreds of witnesses and police experts. |
Madrid bombs: Defendants | |
A bullet-proof chamber was set up for 18 of the suspects, packed together on wooden benches. The other 11 sat in the main courtroom - they have been out on bail. | |
A number of counsellors were also in the court building to offer help to attending survivors and relatives of victims. | |
The first defendant led to the dock, Rabei Osman Sayed Ahmed, also known as Mohamed The Egyptian, refused to enter a plea and declared that he would not answer any questions put to him. | |
"Your honour, with all due respect, I don't recognise any of the accusations or any of the charges... I am not going to answer any questions, including those of my defence counsel, nor will I be co-operative," he said through a Spanish translator. | |
Lead judge Javier Gomez Bermudez told Mr Osman he had "the right not to testify". | |
"You are not required by Spanish legislation to explain your reasons," he said. | |
But the judge said the state prosecutor would still ask questions. | |
Olga Sanchez asked why and when Mr Osman came to Madrid, whether he had claimed that the bombings were his plan and if he was involved in a global jihad, or holy war. | |
High alert | |
Five Moroccans and a Syrian are charged with 191 murders and 1,755 attempted murders. | |
Ten bombs struck four commuter trains in Madrid | |
A Spaniard believed to have supplied the explosives is accused of 192 murders - the 191 who died in the bombings and a policeman killed when seven key suspects committed suicide in a raid on a flat three weeks later - and 1,755 attempted murders. | A Spaniard believed to have supplied the explosives is accused of 192 murders - the 191 who died in the bombings and a policeman killed when seven key suspects committed suicide in a raid on a flat three weeks later - and 1,755 attempted murders. |
Two of these seven - Jamal Zougam and Abdelmajid Bouchar - are accused of actually planting bombs. | Two of these seven - Jamal Zougam and Abdelmajid Bouchar - are accused of actually planting bombs. |
The seven suspects who died in the flat explosion in April 2004 included the alleged plot mastermind, Tunisian Serhane ben Abdelmajid Fakhet. | The seven suspects who died in the flat explosion in April 2004 included the alleged plot mastermind, Tunisian Serhane ben Abdelmajid Fakhet. |
Of the remaining 22 defendants on trial, 11 are from Morocco, eight from Spain and one each from Algeria, Syria and Lebanon. | Of the remaining 22 defendants on trial, 11 are from Morocco, eight from Spain and one each from Algeria, Syria and Lebanon. |
They face charges including collaborating with a terrorist group and handling explosives. | |
Lawyers representing the accused have said that all 29 will deny the charges. | Lawyers representing the accused have said that all 29 will deny the charges. |
The majority of the defendants arrived at the court on the western outskirts of Madrid together in a heavily guarded police van. | The majority of the defendants arrived at the court on the western outskirts of Madrid together in a heavily guarded police van. |
The legal documents have been digitised and will be projected on to screens during the court sessions, which are being broadcast live on national television, radio and the internet | The legal documents have been digitised and will be projected on to screens during the court sessions, which are being broadcast live on national television, radio and the internet |
On Tuesday, Spanish officials raised the country's security alert level from low to medium ahead of the trial and the third anniversary of the attacks on 11 March. | On Tuesday, Spanish officials raised the country's security alert level from low to medium ahead of the trial and the third anniversary of the attacks on 11 March. |
Extra police and soldiers will be stationed at key public areas, and water supply and power plants, while the elevated alert is in place, the interior ministry said. | Extra police and soldiers will be stationed at key public areas, and water supply and power plants, while the elevated alert is in place, the interior ministry said. |