JURIST - Paper Chase: Madrid train bombings suspects on hunger strike

[JURIST] Nine defendants in the 2004 Madrid train bombings [JURIST news archive] trial indicated in court Wednesday that they have begun a hunger strike, joining four other defendants who initiated the hunger strike last Thursday. The thirteen defendants are among eighteen who remain in custody during the trial, while eleven other defendants have been released on bail. Judge Javier Gomez Bermudez warned the defendants that the trial would not be suspended because of the hunger strike, and if necessary, the defendants would be subjected to forced feedings.

The trial [JURIST report] of the 29 suspects began in February in the National Court of Spain. The defendants [BBC backgrounder], are charged with 192 counts of murder and upwards of 1,800 counts of attempted murder. Seven defendants are charged with murder and with having belonged to a terrorist organization, while the remaining twenty-two defendants are being charged with collaborating with a terrorist group and the handling of explosives. AP has more.

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