Madrid train bombings judge promises indictment by April 10
A Spanish judge investigating the Madrid train bombings today promised to file the first indictments in the case by April 10.
The March 11, 2004, bombings on the Madrid commuter rail network killed 191 people and wounded more than 1,500. The attacks were claimed by militants who said they acted on behalf of al-Qaida in revenge for the presence of Spanish troops in Iraq.
A total of 24 people are in jail on preliminary charges of terrorism or mass murder, although none has been formally indicted. More than 80 other people have been questioned and released but are still considered suspects.
Judge Juan del Olmo had previously said he hoped to have the indictments ready by the second anniversary of the bombings this Saturday.
Del Olmo and the National Court have been warned that unless the investigation is stepped up, some defendants might have to be released from custody before any trial concludes.
Several of those jailed have been in custody since the week of the bombings. Under Spanish law, the maximum amount of time they can be held in jail until a trial is conducted and a verdict delivered is four years.
