19 January 2005

BILBAO — Spanish police have arrested an alleged Islamic terrorist with links to al-Qaeda.

Algerian Tahar Izerouali was wanted by police as a supposed member of terrorist organisation Ansar al Islam, which has been linked to al-Qaeda.

The terrorist cell allegedly supplies false documents and cash to other Islamic extremists across Europe.

Before his arrest, Tahar Izerouali, 35, was leading a normal life in Bilbao, despite being named in an international arrest warrant.

He lived in Santutxu, in Bilbao, and worked as a painter.

He has been sent to Madrid where he will face a court later this week.

Izerouel is one of the eight alleged members of a gang linked to al-Qaeda who appeared before a court in Madrid accused of terrorist offences.

They are all said to have supplied logistic support for the Septemebr 11 attacks in the US.

Spain's leading anti-terrorism judge Baltasar Garzón heard testimony from Reda Zerroug, Khaled Madani, Samir Mahdjoub, Redouane Zenimi and Hedi Youssef Boudhiba

Also accused are Mohamed Ayat and the Spaniard Francisco García Gómez, who was said to have provided EUR 20,000 in cash for terrorist causes.

The suspects were detained in custody, even though Boudhiba, also known as  'Fathi', is presently in custody in the UK.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news