Spanish Police Arrest Sixteen Suspects Linked to Al-Qaeda Terror Network - 2003-01-24

Spanish police have arrested at least sixteen individuals suspected of having connections to the Al-Qaeda terrorist network. José María Aznar, the Prime Minister of Spain, stated that Spanish security agents seized large quantities of explosives, specialized electronic control and remote command devices, and chemical materials during raids on several apartments in the Catalonia region in the northeastern part of the country. Spanish officials say that the detainees are mainly Algerian nationals and have been in contact with suspected terrorists recently arrested in Britain and France. It is believed that those arrested in Spain are also collaborating with an Algerian terrorist organization. The recent actions by Spanish security forces are part of the Spanish government's plan to rid the country of international terrorists. Spanish police have indicated that more arrests will follow. In the previous calendar year, around twenty individuals believed to be linked to Al-Qaeda were arrested in Spain. Al-Qaeda was responsible for the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.