Moroccans in court over Madrid bombing charges

TWO more Moroccans suspected of involvement in the Madrid train bombings appeared in court yesterday as German police investigated possible terrorist links of one of the suspects.

German prosecutors said a 28-year-old Moroccan, who has been arrested in Spain, had lived in Darmstadt briefly last autumn and that his apartment was searched.

A German TV station reported that three suspects arrested in Spain this week had lived in Germany and were "directly involved" in planning the Madrid bombings.

Spanish police have made five new arrests this week bringing to 18 the number held for the terror attack which killed 190 people. Interior Ministry spokesman Richard Ibanez said at least one Syrian was among them. Court officials said an unspecified number were Moroccan.

Police believe one of the new detainees is a main organiser of the March 11 attack. Five people so far have been charged with mass murder and belonging to a terrorist group and six have been charged with collaboration.