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Top Madrid suspect denies guilt Top Madrid suspect denies guilt
(about 1 hour later)
A second key suspect in the trial of 29 people accused of participating in the 2004 Madrid train bombings which killed 191 people has denied involvement. A second key suspect in the trial of 29 people accused of participating in the 2004 Madrid train attacks which killed 191 people have denied involvement.
Appearing in court on the outskirts of Madrid, Youssef Belhadj said "I condemn the attacks and all kinds of violence". Appearing in court in Madrid, Youssef Belhadj said: "I condemn the attacks and all kinds of violence".
He also said that he had no links to militant groups and denied being the European spokesman for al-Qaeda, as the authorities have claimed.He also said that he had no links to militant groups and denied being the European spokesman for al-Qaeda, as the authorities have claimed.
On Thursday co-defendant Rabei Osman also said he had no link to the blasts.On Thursday co-defendant Rabei Osman also said he had no link to the blasts.
TRIAL IN FIGURES 29 men on trialSix charged with 191 counts of murder and 1,755 of attempted murderOne is charged with 192 counts of murder and 1,755 of attempted murderThey face up to 40,000 years in jail each22 others face lesser terror-linked chargesAbout 600 witnesses and 100 experts will give evidenceThe indictment itself is 100,000 pages long class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/4899544.stm">Madrid bombs: Defendants More than 1,700 people were injured in the multiple bomb attacks on four rush-hour trains in Madrid in March 2004. More than 1,700 people were injured in the multiple bomb attacks on four rush-hour trains in Madrid in March 2004.
Investigators in Spain have attributed the attacks to a local cell of Islamic extremists inspired by al-Qaeda. TRIAL IN FIGURES 29 men on trialSix charged with 191 counts of murder and 1,755 of attempted murderOne is charged with 192 counts of murder and 1,755 of attempted murderThey face up to 40,000 years in jail each22 others face lesser terror-linked chargesAbout 600 witnesses and 100 experts will give evidenceThe indictment itself is 100,000 pages long class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/4899544.stm">Madrid bombs: Defendants Investigators in Spain have attributed the attacks to a local cell of Islamic extremists inspired by al-Qaeda.
Mr Belhadj, a Moroccan, is charged with 191 murders and 1,755 attempted murders in the trial which began on Thursday.Mr Belhadj, a Moroccan, is charged with 191 murders and 1,755 attempted murders in the trial which began on Thursday.
He was arrested on 1 February, 2005 in Belgium and later extradited to Spain. He was arrested on 1 February 2005 in Belgium and later extradited to Spain.
The authorities believe he could be Aby Dujanah, al-Qaeda's purported European spokesman who claimed responsibility for the Madrid attacks on a videotape days after the attacks.The authorities believe he could be Aby Dujanah, al-Qaeda's purported European spokesman who claimed responsibility for the Madrid attacks on a videotape days after the attacks.
He is also thought to be a member of the Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group, which authorities said played a part in the train bombings. The group has also been blamed for the 2003 Casablanca bombings.He is also thought to be a member of the Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group, which authorities said played a part in the train bombings. The group has also been blamed for the 2003 Casablanca bombings.
Months of evidence 'Family coerced'
As he denied having any terror links, Mr Belhadj said "I am a normal Muslim". Mr Belhadj denied having any terror links, or knowing any of the other key suspects on trial.
"I am a normal Muslim," he said.
Mr Belhadj said two members of his family had named him as a member of al-Qaeda only after the Spanish authorities detained and terrified the whole family.
Eyewitness view of trialEyewitness view of trial
"They were insulted and threatened that they would be taken back to Morocco," Mr Belhadj was quoted by AP as saying. "So if I were in their shoes... I would have said things like that."
Mr Belhadj was answering questions posed by his defence lawyer having refused, like Rabei Osman on Thursday, to answer any from the prosecution.
Mr Belhadj is one of 29 people, most of them Moroccan, accused of involvement in the train bombing plot, which saw 10 bombs contained in rucksacks being detonated on four commuter trains.Mr Belhadj is one of 29 people, most of them Moroccan, accused of involvement in the train bombing plot, which saw 10 bombs contained in rucksacks being detonated on four commuter trains.
Seven key suspects, including Mr Belhadj, face charges of murder and belonging to a terrorist group.Seven key suspects, including Mr Belhadj, face charges of murder and belonging to a terrorist group.
Twenty-two others face lesser terror-linked charges including collaborating with a terrorist group and handling explosives. Eleven of them are from Morocco, eight from Spain and one each from Algeria, Syria and Lebanon.Twenty-two others face lesser terror-linked charges including collaborating with a terrorist group and handling explosives. Eleven of them are from Morocco, eight from Spain and one each from Algeria, Syria and Lebanon.
The trial is expected to last for several months and hear from hundreds of witnesses and police experts.The trial is expected to last for several months and hear from hundreds of witnesses and police experts.
A verdict is not expected before October.A verdict is not expected before October.