Spanish suspect questioned in al-Qaida trial

A trial of 24 suspected al-Qaida members, including three accused of helping plot the September 11, 2001, attacks in the US, went into its second day today with the lone native-born Spaniard among defendants again taking the stand.

When Europe’s biggest trial of alleged al-Qaida militants began on Friday, Luis Jose Galan told prosecutors he rejected all forms of terrorism. He also parried a prosecutor’s questions about evidence against him, including guns found in his home after his arrest in November 2001 and an email from another suspect in Indonesia asking that Galan send him weapons.

Galan is accused of illegal weapons possession and belonging to al-Qaida, but not involvement in September 11 planning.

The lead defendant is Syrian-born Imad Yarkas, a 42-year-old father of six who allegedly directed a terrorist cell that provided logistical cover for September 11 plotters, including Mohamed Atta, who is believed to have piloted one of the two hijacked planes that destroyed the twin towers in New York. Yarkas is expected to testify this week.

The trial is expected to last two to four months.