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Spain arrests 14 terror suspects Spain arrests 14 terror suspects
(about 1 hour later)
Bomb-related material has been found during raids in Barcelona which led to the arrest of 14 people suspected of links with an Islamist terror network.Bomb-related material has been found during raids in Barcelona which led to the arrest of 14 people suspected of links with an Islamist terror network.
Spanish Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said the suspects included 12 from Pakistan and two from India.Spanish Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said the suspects included 12 from Pakistan and two from India.
Local media reports that the Spanish intelligence agency had warned France, the UK and Portugal that a terror cell was preparing an imminent attack.Local media reports that the Spanish intelligence agency had warned France, the UK and Portugal that a terror cell was preparing an imminent attack.
This coincides with a European tour by Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf.This coincides with a European tour by Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf.
Radical threatRadical threat
The Civil Guard detained the suspects in Barcelona as part of a joint operation with Spain's National Intelligence Centre (CNI).The Civil Guard detained the suspects in Barcelona as part of a joint operation with Spain's National Intelligence Centre (CNI).
Let's be as cautious as is advisable in these cases Jose Luis Rodriguez ZapateroSpanish prime ministerLet's be as cautious as is advisable in these cases Jose Luis Rodriguez ZapateroSpanish prime minister
Several premises were searched and officers seized computers and materials to produce explosives. Five addresses in the city, including a mosque, were searched.
The operation is ongoing and more arrests have not been ruled out. Officers seized computers, mobile phones and what the government says are materials that could have been used to make explosives, including timing devices.
The operation is continuing and more arrests have not been ruled out.
Mr Rubalcaba said the evidence suggested that they were faced with "a radical Islamist group with a significant level of organisation which seems to have taken a step beyond ideological radicalisation".Mr Rubalcaba said the evidence suggested that they were faced with "a radical Islamist group with a significant level of organisation which seems to have taken a step beyond ideological radicalisation".
He said the group appeared to have been "planning to equip itself with material to make explosives and so to carry out violent actions".He said the group appeared to have been "planning to equip itself with material to make explosives and so to carry out violent actions".
The alleged cell appeared to have been in an active phase, although there was no evidence at this stage of a specific target, he added.
Spain suffered at the hands of Islamist militants in 2004 when 191 people were killed in the Madrid train bombings.Spain suffered at the hands of Islamist militants in 2004 when 191 people were killed in the Madrid train bombings.
Most of the 21 people convicted of the attacks were found to have been part of a local Islamist militant group inspired by al-Qaeda, but not part of that organisation.Most of the 21 people convicted of the attacks were found to have been part of a local Islamist militant group inspired by al-Qaeda, but not part of that organisation.
Election issueElection issue
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said that it was too early to arrive at any conclusions as to what the suspects might have been planning.Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said that it was too early to arrive at any conclusions as to what the suspects might have been planning.
"Let's be as cautious as is advisable in these cases, with regard to the scope, intentions and what this potential group of radical Islamist activists represented," he said."Let's be as cautious as is advisable in these cases, with regard to the scope, intentions and what this potential group of radical Islamist activists represented," he said.
But the newspaper El Pais linked the arrests to Mr Musharraf's visit, which begins on Sunday.
The BBC's Steve Kingstone, in Madrid, says domestic security will be a key issue in the run-up to Spain's general election, in two months time.The BBC's Steve Kingstone, in Madrid, says domestic security will be a key issue in the run-up to Spain's general election, in two months time.
The governing Socialist Party says that, during its four-year term of office, 300 Islamist militants have been arrested.The governing Socialist Party says that, during its four-year term of office, 300 Islamist militants have been arrested.