The alleged Al Qaida leader in Spain said the killing of 191 people in
Madrid on March 11, 2004 was "inadmissible" as victims of the attacks testified
for the first time yesterday.
Imad Eddin Barakat Yarkas, who was born in Syria and is a nationalized
Spaniard, said "if one is Moslem you cannot kill human beings." He said that all
he knew about the March 11 tragedy was "what the media has reported."
The touching testimonies of victims and their families made the26th hearing,
held Tuesday in Madrid's National Court, the most moving session since the
hearings began in February.
They said they wanted political responsibility from those holding public
office at the time of the attacks.
Some of the victims said they are still suffering physical and psychological
problems. They demanded justice, insisting that those responsible for the
attacks be punished as harshly as the law allows.
