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Spanish Authorities Arrest Terror Suspects

Ever since the Madrid train bombings of 2004, Spanish authorities have stepped up their efforts to locate and arrest terrorist rings that are planning further attacks in the country. Authorities recently announced that they arrested 11 people who are suspected of plotting a terrorist attack and being members of the international terror movement, El Quaeda. The group allegedly has connections to other terror rings in England and Morocco. Investigations against the group began in March 2005 already.

The cell was uncovered in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, which is situated on Morocco?s north coast. The area has also been claimed by Morocco as its own territory. The enclave, with a population of 77,000, has a Muslim presence of 43% and also includes Spanish Catholics. In recent months, the Spanish media has reported the Ceuta has become a particularly attractive spot for terrorist activity. Websites are regularly used to indoctrinate and recruit local youth.

Authorities reported that two out of the eleven arrested were brothers of Hamed Abderrahaman Ahmed, a Ceutan who was detained at the United States? infamous naval base, Guatanamo. After he was released back to Spanish custody, Abderrahaman Ahmed was tried in court for belonging to El Quaeda but subsequently acquitted of all charges. Altogether, there were three sets of brothers among the eleven arrested.