Spain detains Moroccan in connection with terror inquiry

Spain has arrested Monday in Barcelona a Moroccan who has been wanted for several weeks since the European country launched the second phase of its anti-terror "Nova" operation, police source said.

Ben Abdellah, 36, is suspected of being member of the "Martyrs for Morocco" group, led by Algerian Mohamed Achraf detained in Switzerland and whom Spain wants extradited.

Spain has so far arrested 32 persons as part of the Nova operation that has enabled to dismantle a cell alleged to have plotted to carry out terrorist attacks against symbolic sites in Madrid.

According to Spanish anti-terror judge Baltasar Garzon, the "Martyrs for Morocco" cell -formed in prison- intended to blow the premises of the Spanish highest penal court, the head office of the Popular Party, two railway stations and the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

The Nova operation comes after Spain was targeted last March 11 by a bomb attack against a train station, killing 191 persons and wounding over 1,500 others.