Tunisian believed to be mastermind of madrid bombings
Tunisia-Spain, Local, 4/3/2004

Spanish investigators have issued an international warrant for Tunisian Serhane Ben Abdelmajid Fakhet who they believe is the "mastermind" of Madrid Attacks, Spanish judicial sources said Friday.

Investigating magistrate, Juan Del Olmo, believes that Fakhet is the leader and coordinator of the people who perpetrated the bombings that killed 191 people last March 11. According to the warrant, the suspected Tunisian had been preparing the attacks since 2003.

This conclusion was reached following testimonies of five people arrested in connection with the bombings that targeted three train stations in the Spanish capital.

It was the "Tunisian" who rented an isolated house in the suburbs of Madrid where the bombs used in the attacks were prepared, the same source pointed out.

In addition to Fakhet, warrants were issued for five Moroccans, namely Jamal Ahmidane, Abdenbi Kounja and the brothers Mohamed and Rachid Oulad Akcha.

According to the document, the fifth Moroccan, Said Berraj, belongs to an Al Qaeda dormant cell and met some suspected terrorists such as the "Tunisian" and Syrian Bassel Chayoune who is currently under arrest in Spain.

Berraj quit his job on March 9 and left Spain on March 12, saying that he had to attend his sister's funeral in Morocco. Police later determined that he did not have a sister, the warrant said.

The six individuals are wanted for 190 murdres, 1,400 murder attempts and belonging to a terrorist group.

So far, 24 people, mostly Moroccans, were arrested part of the ongoing probe on Madrid attacks. Fourteen are still in custody after they were charged of involvement in the attacks.

Previous Stories:
  Judge releases Moroccan suspect in Madrid bombings   (4/2/2004)
  Moroccans no longer first foreign community in Spain, official   (4/1/2004)
  Minister denies arrest of Moroccan in possession of Atocha railway station Map   (3/27/2004)

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