Expatica news

Relatives of Madrid bombing victims attack Aznar

29 November 2004

MADRID- Relatives of victims of the Madrid train bombings  condemned former prime minister Jose Maria Aznar as he gave evidence to a parliamentary investigation into Spain’s worst terrorist attack.

“The spectacle offered up by Aznar is shameful,” said the mother of one of the 191 people killed in the bombing of four commuter trains by suspected Islamic extremists three days before a general election which saw his conservative Popular Party lose power.

“We are asking for justice and respect. We want the truth to be uncovered and for the person who led the government, former ministers and high ranking police officers to face up to their responsibilities,” said Carmen Aguado, one of some 20 relatives gathered outside the hearing.

Some of the relatives painted their hands blood-red and bore placards on which they had written “Aznar Responsible” as the former prime minister gave his evidence to lawmakers.

Aguado’s 28-year-old son Juan Carlos died in the coordinated blasts in an attack “which happened because we were implicated in the war in Iraq,” Aguado insisted.

“Aznar is not materially responsible for the attacks but he provoked them,” she added.

“If only he could be judged for war crimes at the Tribunal in The Hague,” she added.

Several organisations representing the victims of the bombings have voiced disappointment at the investigation into the blasts.

“They are not letting the truth surface,” said Aguado.

Some flag-waving Spaniards turned up, meanwhile, outside parliament to show
support for Aznar.
  
[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news