FP News Top Story

The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

Spain judge questions 3 terror suspects; 1 charged with explosives possession

By: Alan Clendenning, The Associated Press

Posted: 08/3/2012 4:18 AM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 08/5/2012 11:45 AM

In this combo photo released by the Spanish Interior Ministry on Thursday Aug.2, 2012 three al-Qaida suspects only identified by their initials are seen in this hand out photo. Spanish police arrested three suspected members of al-Qaida who they believe were planning to carry out attacks in Spain and possibly other European countries, Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz said Thursday.� Two of the detainees were from countries of the former Soviet Union and were arrested in the central town of Ciudad Real. The third, a Turk, was detained in the southern town of La Linea. Left to right, identified by their initials, A.A.A., C.Y. , M.A. The three alleged al-Qaida suspects with possible plans for an attack in Spain or elsewhere in Europe have arrived at Spain's National Court for questioning. The judge was expected to decide Friday Aug. 3, 2012 after the closed-door hearing if they will remain detained. (AP Photo/Spanish Interior Ministry)

MADRID - Three Islamist terror suspects who may have been plotting an attack in Spain or elsewhere in Europe were questioned Friday by a judge who charged one with possession of explosives and ordered the other two detained until Sunday without charges.

Officers toting automatic weapons closed streets around the National Court building as police vans brought in the two Russians and a Turk, who have been identified only by their initials and mug shots distributed to media outlets.

The three were questioned separately in hearings conducted behind closed doors because the case falls under Spain's secrecy laws for terrorism cases. The interior minister has described the Russians as suspected al-Qaida members and said the Turk was suspected of being a facilitator for the terror group.

The judge charged the Turk, who was arrested in a Spanish city next to the British colony of Gibraltar with possession of explosives and an unspecified device that could be used for terror, said a court official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of court rules.

Two Russians of Chechen descent were ordered held for 48 more hours while authorities continue building their case, the official said.

The Turk was arrested Thursday in the southern city of La Linea. The Russians were picked up Wednesday as they travelled by bus toward the French border.

Authorities said Thursday that the La Linea house had enough explosives in it to blow up a bus, but did not reveal how much or what kind. They also said they found evidence at the house suggesting "use" of ultralight planes and remote-controlled planes but did not provide more details.

Investigators found no evidence indicating that Gibraltar might have been a possible target.

Spanish Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz on Thursday declined to offer specifics on possible targets except to rule out Gibraltar and say that "there are clear indications they could have been planning an attack in Spain and/or another country."

___

Harold Heckle contributed to this story from Madrid.

Factual inaccuracy? Something missing? Help improve our journalism.

Know about news? Share your story suggestions, photos and video.

Spelling error? Punctuation problem? Send us an email if you’ve found a typo.

More FP News Top Story

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.