Madrid bombing trial ends today

The trial of 28 people accused in the Madrid train bombings is to conclude today with closing arguments by defence lawyers.

The trial of 28 people accused in the Madrid train bombings is to conclude today with closing arguments by defence lawyers.

A verdict in Europe's biggest terrorist court case, which began in February at a high-security Madrid courthouse, is scheduled for mid-October.

Most of the defendants are Moroccans, and prosecutors blame the March 11th, 2004, train bombings on Islamic terrorists. Nine Spaniards are also on trial, accused of providing stolen explosives that were used in the attacks.

The prosecution is seeking prison terms of nearly 39,000 years each for eight prime suspects if convicted of mass murder of the 191 people who died in the attacks and the attempted murder of 1,841 people who were injured.

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Under Spanish law, the maximum time they could serve on a terrorism conviction is 40 years. Spain has no death penalty or life imprisonment.

Among the prime suspects, three are considered masterminds, two are alleged to have placed bombs aboard the trains, two are described as "necessary co-operators," and one, a Spaniard, is accused of supplying the explosives.

The other defendants face smaller sentences if convicted on lesser charges such as membership of or collaboration with a terrorist group.

Each of the defendants has denied having anything to do with the attacks and condemned terrorism during the trial.