Madrid

Investigation increasingly focuses on Islamic extremists

MADRID - Evidence is mounting that Islamic extremists linked to al-Qaida were behind the Madrid bombings and the assault may be tied to a bloody attack in Morocco last year, officials told the Associated Press on Monday.

Spain won quick U.N. approval after the bombings for a resolution blaming a Basque rebel group, ETA, but it backed away Monday, saying it was now investigating other culprits.

The resolution adopted unanimously Thursday, just hours after the bombings that killed 200 people, put the Security Council in the embarrassing position of blaming ETA when evidence is mounting that Islamic extremists with links to al-Qaida were behind the bomb blasts.

One of five suspects held by Spanish police in connection with Thursday's attack in Spain had traveled to his home country of Morocco, then left on April 20, 2003, almost a month before the May 16 attacks in Casablanca that killed 45 people, officials said.

The suspect, Jamal Zougam, also has connections to a key suspect in the Casablanca attacks and possibly to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Moroccan official told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Zarqawi is a key operative working with Osama bin Laden's terror network who has been blamed in attacks in Jordan, Iraq and elsewhere.

It appears increasingly likely Islamic extremists played a role in the Madrid attacks, a U.S. counterterrorism official told the AP on condition of anonymity.

Asa Hutchinson, undersecretary of homeland security, said U.S. authorities believe evidence suggests an al-Qaida tie to the Madrid train bombings.

Zougam, two other Moroccans - including Zougam's half brother, Mohamed Chaoui, 34 - and two Indians are being questioned in the Madrid attack.

World and national headlines

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright