Morocco jails suspect in Madrid train bombings

2008-01-31

As the investigation to uncover the identities of those behind the four Madrid train bombings of 2004 goes on, the Moroccan-Spanish partnership to fight terrorism is strengthening. The Moroccan judicial police remanded Abdelilah Ahriz into custody on January 28th upon a request by the Spanish lead judge.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 31/01/08

[Getty Images] Moroccan terror suspect Abdelilah Ahriz was detained in Morocco on Monday (January 28th) for alleged involvement in the March 11th 2004 Madrid train bombings. The move came at the request of a Spanish judge.

Following a request to the Moroccan Ministry of Justice from the Spanish judge who is heading the investigation into the 2004 Madrid train bombings, the Moroccan judicial police remanded Abdelilah Ahriz into custody on January 28th. The move marks an increase in co-operation by Morocco and Spain in the campaign against terrorism.

The 29-year-old Ahriz was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in February 2007 but was acquitted a few months later on appeal. Spanish National Court Judge Juan del Olmo requested permission to take and analyse samples of Ahriz’s DNA. Laboratory analyses by Spanish police indicated that Ahriz’s DNA was found in the same flat in Leganés, Spain where seven of the suspected bombers blew themselves up after the attacks. Additional evidence was culled from another property in Chinchón, Spain.

In December 2007, the Spanish judge charged Ahriz with 191 counts of murder, 1,811 counts of attempted murder, four counts of terrorist destruction, and charges of trafficking, possession and supplying explosives.

The Moroccan-Spanish partnership is strengthening as the investigation to uncover the identities of those behind the four Madrid train bombings goes on. The Casablanca judiciary police are currently conducting a preliminary inquiry. They say that if Ahriz is proven to have been involved in the crimes, he will go on trial in Morocco.

Although there is no extradition treaty between Spain and Morocco, a new legal agreement reportedly allows Moroccan courts to try suspects on charges drawn up in Spanish courts.

On Monday the criminal chamber for terrorist affairs attached to the Salé court of appeals upheld the original judgement against Mohamed Kasimi, who was extradited from Spain to face charges of terrorist activity. In October he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Ouali Filali, meanwhile, was acquitted on all counts against him. Both had been arrested in Spain and charged with involvement in the terrorist attacks in Madrid. They are suspected of links with the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, now known as the al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb, and were charged with forming a criminal gang with a view to preparing and committing terrorist acts, as well as membership in a banned religious group.

Political science professor Mohamed Saadoune said regional efforts to tackle terrorism need to be stepped up, particularly in the wake of the recent attacks which rocked Algeria, but agrees that co-operation between Morocco and Spain in this area is growing. "The recent rulings and arrests show that Morocco and Spain are working together closely in tackling Islamist terrorism," he noted.

The sixth meeting of foreign affairs ministers of western Mediterranean countries, known as the "5 + 5" forum, in Rabat last week focused on a number of issues affecting the region, including security. It was agreed that countries in the region need to further strengthen their co-operation if they are to bring an end to terrorism.