Key Madrid bombs suspect detained

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A suspected mastermind of the 2004 Madrid train bombings has been arrested in Morocco, Spain has announced.

Abdelilah Hriz is expected to go on trial in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, following the filing of a petition by a Spanish judge.

The Spanish authorities say this is the first time Morocco has agreed to arrest and try one of its own citizens for a crime committed in another country.

Spain's public prosecutor said Mr Hriz was arrested in Rabat on Sunday.

The Moroccan is a key suspect in the train bomb attacks in Madrid four years ago, which killed nearly 200 people.

Until now, the lack of an extradition accord between Spain and Morocco prevented him from being brought to justice.

Comb clue

Following a petition from Spain, Morocco's authorities agreed to detain and start legal proceedings against Mr Hriz in Morocco.

A Spanish judge says the suspect's DNA matches genetic material found on a comb and a pair of trousers.

The comb was uncovered in the ruins of an apartment where seven key suspects in the Madrid bombings blew themselves up.

The trousers were discovered in a farm house where the perpetrators of the attacks made their explosives.

Last year more than 20 men linked to the train bombings were convicted by a court in Spain.