Four Accused Madrid Train Bombers Have Convictions Quashed

The court acquitted two Syrians, a Moroccan and a Spaniard, who were sentenced to between 5 and 12 years in October 2007 for smuggling explosives and being members of a terrorist organization.

Another Spaniard acquitted at the original trial was convicted at the latest hearing and jailed for four years.

The court also confirmed the acquittal of Rabei Osman el-Sayed Ahmed, known as Mohammed the Egyptian, who was suspected of masterminding the March 11, 2004, attacks on four commuter trains.

The 36-year-old was acquitted of belonging to a terrorist organization because he had already been sentenced for the same crime in Italy.

Many victims were shocked by the sentences, which in many cases were much lower than the state attorney had requested, and angry at the acquittals.

At the original trial, 17 Arabs and four Spaniards were found guilty and sentenced to prison terms ranging from three years to 40,000 years. Seven of the accused were acquitted.