A Moroccan and a Syrian have been formally accused of involvement in the Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people and have been remanded without bail. The accusations come as authorities concentrate their investigation on n Morocco -based terrorist cell with possible links to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda.
Investigators have analysed a videotape in which a man claiming to speak on behalf of al Qaeda said the group carried out the Madrid attack in reprisal for Spain's backing of the US-led war in Iraq.
Three other men held in relation to the suspected al-Qaeda attacks on March 11th were freed as there was no indication they had any role, a says a Spanish High Court source has said.
The term "accusation" under Spanish law means the judge considers there is a case to answer, but any decision on formal charges would be taken later.
Judge Juan del Olmo accused the Syrian national - now one of 15 people still held over the bombings - of belonging to a terrorist group and of being an "essential accomplice" in 190 murders. The Moroccan was accused of collaborating with a terrorist group.
The source said the Syrian had been identified by one person wounded in the attacks and another who escaped unhurt. The Syrian had acknowledged knowing all the other accused, the source added.
Of the other remaining suspects, 12 have already been accused of either participating or collaborating in the commuter train attacks, and the last one has yet to go before the judge.
Four Moroccan suspects have already been accused of 190 counts of murder, indicating a central role in the bombings.
Morocco yesterday said it had made several arrests in an investigation of local links to the Madrid attacks but did not say how many people had been detained.
State radio reported the death toll had risen to 191 after the death of a Spanish woman (49). Some 100 victims remain in hospital.