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Europe | |||
Spain arrests 10 in crackdown on Al Qaeda-linked group | |||
2005-11-24 | |||
Interior Minister Jose Antonio Alonso said authorities had no information that the group planned to carry out any attack âin the short- or medium-termâ and he called for calm among residents of towns where the 10 were arrested. But his ministry said the groupâs activities had extended to other European countries as its members had connections with Algerian-born residents in Germany, the Netherlands, Britain, Belgium and Denmark. The arrest of the 10, in raids in southern and southeastern Spain, follows a 10-month investigation by Spanish police, Alonso told a news conference. âThe Civil Guardâs operation fits within the stateâs task to prevent terrorist activities, cutting them off at the root,â Alonso said.
The detainees are accused of providing financing and logistical support for the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, Algeriaâs largest outlawed militant movement. They are accused of raising money through drug-trafficking, faking credit cards and theft from vehicles and property. An Interior Ministry spokesman said he could not confirm the nationality of the 10. A judicial source said earlier that they included Algerian and Moroccan citizens.
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Posted by:Steve White |