Al-Jazeera Man Faces Terror Trial

An al-Jazeera correspondent has been remanded in custody in Madrid to await trial on suspicion of belonging to al-Qaida. Tayssir Alouni's exclusive interviews with Osama bin Laden made him famous during the Afghanistan war.

Al-Jazeera reacted with dismay to yesterday's decision by Judge Baltasar Garzon, who will prepare formal charges. "We have faith in Spanish justice but we have even more faith in his innocence," an al-Jazeera spokesman told the Guardian.

Mr Alouni, born in Syria but a Spanish citizen, is in Madrid to start up the TV station's coverage in Spain. However, Judge Garzon's 23-page ruling read: "Removed from his work as a journalist but taking advantage of it, he carries out support, financing and coordination, which are the characteristics of a qualified militant."

The judge alleged Mr Alouni recruited for al-Qaida among Muslims in Spain, couriered money, and was a "prominent member" of a cell led by Imad Yarkas, alias Abu Dahdah. Others he was said to have connections with were Mamoun Darkazanli, accused by the US of funnelling money for al-Qaida, and Mustafa Nasar, who ran a camp in Afghanistan.

Mr Alouni was arrested on Friday; his lawyer will appeal for him to get bail.