A judge filed charges early Tuesday against four more suspects in the Madrid train bombings and ordered them held pending further investigation.
The judge charged the Moroccans and a Spaniard with "terrorism" and "mass killings" for their alleged participation in the bombings, which killed over 200 people. A fifth suspect, a Moroccan arrested with the others Thursday, was released without charges.
The charges came after six hours of questioning at the National Court, and bring to nine the number of people charged in the March 11 railway bombings. Six are Moroccan.
Suspicion over the 10 bombs targeting Madrid commuter trains has focused on an alleged Morocco-based "terrorist cell" believed to have links to the Al Qaeda network and to Al Qaeda itself.
All three Moroccans questioned into the early hours of Tuesday denied involvement in the Madrid attacks. One left the courtroom in tears. Another said that when he learned of the attacks the morning of March 11, he was at home watching cartoons with his children, court officials said.
The charges stop short of a formal indictment, but suggest the court has strong evidence against the suspects. They can remain in jail two years while investigators gather more evidence, The AP reported.
A total of 13 people are now in custody over the bombings, which left 202 people dead and over 1,800 injured.
The latest four arrests came Monday in Madrid. Those four, believed to be of North African origin, have yet to go before a judge. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
