Al-Qaida suspect endorses fatwa against Bin Laden

An alleged al-Qaida member on trial in Madrid said today he endorsed a fatwa issued by Spanish Muslims against Osama bin Laden, condemning terrorism as he took the stand as a suspected member of a cell that allegedly helped plot the September 11 attacks on the US.

Syrian-born Abdalrahman Alarnot described himself as a hardworking owner of a construction company and said his dealings with the alleged financial mastermind of the Spanish cell were legitimate, not a front for funnelling money to Islamic extremists as alleged by prosecutors.

Alarnot said he knew the alleged leader of the cell, Imad Yarkas, simply from going to same Madrid mosque and from informal soccer games among the Syrian immigrant community.

Under questioning from his lawyer, Alarnot said he supported a fatwa issued in March against bin Laden by the Islamic Commission of Spain, the main body representing the country’s million-strong Muslim community.

The fatwa, or religious edict, called the al Qaida leader an enemy of Islam and urged others of their faith to denounce bin Laden. The commission said it was the world’s first such edict against bin Laden.

Alarnot said today: “I agree with the fatwa of the Islamic Commission of Spain. This is my criterion on terrorism and all acts of violence.”

Alarnot is among 24 suspects on trial as alleged members of an al Qaida cell. Three of the suspects are accused specifically of using Spain as a staging ground to help plan the suicide airliner attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon.

Alarnot is among the other 21, accused of terrorism, weapons possession or other offences but not September 11 planning.