Madrid Bombs Suspect to Be Extradited

Two high court judges today ruled that a man suspected of involvement in the Madrid train bombings should be extradited to Spain from the UK.

Lawyers for Moutaz Almallah Dabas, a 39-year-old Spanish citizen, had challenged an earlier ruling for his extradition on the basis that he could face human rights violations if he were sent to Spain.

However, Lord Justice Latham and Justice Jack rejected the challenge and upheld the original ruling, which was made at Bow Street magistrates' court in November.

The March 11 2004 attack on the commuter rail network in Madrid killed 191 people and wounded more than 1,500. It happened days before the Spanish elections.

Islamist extremists inspired by al-Qaida claimed responsibility for the blasts, saying they were avenging the presence of Spanish troops in Iraq at that time.

Syrian-born Mr Dabas was arrested in Slough, Berkshire, last year, the day after his brother Mohannad Almallah, a Syrian citizen, was arrested in Madrid.

The Spanish authorities accuse the pair of involvement in the running of a flat where extremists were recruited, and say some of those behind the Madrid bombs were present at meetings.

Lawyers for Mr Dabas had argued that the arrest warrant issued by a Spanish judge did not make clear that he was accused of an actual crime rather than simply being wanted for questioning. It also did not identify the alleged crime, as required by extradition law.

The lawyers said Mr Dabas might be held without access to a lawyer of his choice while being questioned and was at risk of being sent back to Syria, which would be a breach of his human rights.

However, Mr Latham said he had no doubt the warrant was for the purpose of prosecuting Mr Dabas, not just for questioning him, and was legally valid.

There was no indication of any risk that he would be expelled from Spain or that he would suffer persecution if sent to Syria, the court found.

At last year's Bow Street hearing, District Judge Evans ruled Mr Dabas "was responsible for providing support and accommodation in Madrid for Islamist terrorists".

"Some of the people whom he associated [with] were responsible for the Madrid bombings," he added.