SPAIN: Soldiers and security patrol potential terrorist targets as security is increased following bombings and alleged Al Aqaeda warning

Record ID: 734990

  • Title: SPAIN: Soldiers and security patrol potential terrorist targets as security is increased following bombings and alleged Al Aqaeda warning
  • Date: 5th April 2004
  • Summary: (W4) MADRID, SPAIN (APRIL 6, 2004) (REUTERS) WIDE OF INTERIOR OF NUEVOS MINISTERIOS METRO STATION SLV COMMUTERS WALKING UPSTAIRS TOPSHOT OF TRAIN ARRIVING NUEVOS MINISTERIOS STATION WIDE OF POLICE BY TRAIN SMV SECURITY WALKING THROUGH BARRIER SLV POLICE TAKING A MAN WITH RUCKSACK AWAY VARIOUS OF SEVERAL OF POLICE PATROLLING NUEVOS MINISTERIOS METRO STATION SLV POLICE AT TICKET BARRIER SLV POLICE TALKING TO TWO COMMUTERS WITH RUCKSACKS WIDE OF POLICE PATROLLING STATION WIDE OF COMMUTERS WALKING THROUGH TICKET BARRIERS SCU (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FLORA FALCON SAYING "It is better that we have more security to make us feel safer in the underground, in Renfe (train stations) or public transport." SLV MAN WALKING WITH RUCKSACK SCU (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LUZ TORRES SAYING "Yes, there is more security but what we need is the laws to be changed and make them tougher."
  • Embargoed: 20th April 2004 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MADRID AND GUADALAJARA, SPAIN
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVA3DE4I5FPK8HX2BP13SL6KFJOY
  • Story Text: The Spanish government has called for calm as troops and police patrol potential targets after a series of bombings and a purported al Qaeda threat to create rivers of blood in Spain.
    Police were deployed on Madrid's metro ever since Monday (April 5, 2004), a job normally left to private guards, while troops were dotted along the route of the high-speed Madrid-Seville rail line that was the target of a foiled bomb attack last week.
    Combat troops were also guarding dams and nuclear plants, adding to the feeling of a country under siege.
    Spain has ramped up security since 191 people were killed when suspected Islamic militants bombed four commuter trains in Madrid on March 11.
    Up to six of the suspected train bombers blew themselves up on Saturday (April 3) during a police siege in a suburb of the capitol, killing one police officer.
    The government says they had been planning further attacks.
    Police, who returned to the site on Tuesday (April 6) to continue the painstaking search for clues and remains, say a handful of accomplices remain at large.
    Spanish authorities announced another arrest in the Madrid train bombings on Monday. Sixteen people are now in custody.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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