Madrid blasts: Indian suspects identified

Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani on Monday said the government is seeking details of the reported involvement of two Spanish citizens of Indian origin in the Madrid train blasts.

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"I read it in the newspapers and it said they are Spaniards of Indian origin," he told a press conference in Hubli (Karnataka) just before resuming his Bharat Uday Yatra, which entered its sixth day on Monday.

Two Indian nationals named as Vinay Kohli and Sunil Kumar have been arrested under anti- terrorism laws by the Spanish authorities in Madrid.

India's charge d'affaires in Spain, R K Tyagi, told rediff.com that the two men were being held under anti-terrorism legislation that forbids outside contact for 72 hours except with lawyers appointed by the Spanish government.

 

Kohli and Kumar are among five foreigners arrested in connection with last Thursday's bombings that left 200 dead and wounded 1500 others.

Three other men believed to be Moroccan national are also being questioned by Spanish police. They have been identified as Jamal Zougam (30), Mohammed Bekkali (31) and Mohammed Chaoui (34).

Tyagi said senior officials from the Ministry of Interior, who confirmed the arrest of the Indian nationals, had contacted him.

Due of the weekend holiday and yesterday's (Sunday) general election, more information about the arrests has not been forthcoming. "Today is the first working day of the Ministry of Interior and we will be contacting them for more details," Tyagi said.