The pensioner who allegedly despatched letter bombs to Spain’s prime minister and the Ukrainian embassy was positioned in pre-trial detention on Friday on grounds he may flee to “Russian territory”.
The 74-year-old, arrested on Wednesday at his house close to the northern city of Burgos, appeared earlier than a choose on the Audiencia Nacional, Spain’s prime legal court docket, going through one cost of terrorism, court docket paperwork confirmed.
He’s accused of getting despatched six letter bombs to targets together with Spanish ministers and embassies to push Madrid into halting assist for Kyiv within the combat towards Russia’s invasion.
The house-made units have been despatched in late November and early December to Spain’s prime minister and defence minister, the Ukrainian and US embassies, the European Union Satellite tv for pc Centre close to Madrid and to a Spanish arms producer within the northeastern metropolis of Zaragoza.
In his ruling, the choose mentioned the suspect sought to “pressure” the Spanish authorities to “chorus from supporting Ukraine within the face of Russia’s aggression”, which made him a flight danger.
“The significance of his violent actions as a method of propaganda for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may facilitate his flight to Russian territory with assist from Russian residents,” the choose concluded.
If convicted, the suspect may withstand 20 years in jail on terror offences.
However the choose mentioned there have been no indications of his involvement “with some other terrorist group”.
No person was killed by the units however a Ukrainian embassy staffer sustained gentle accidents whereas opening one of many packages.
On the suspect’s house, investigators discovered a workshop containing soldering gear, instruments, metallic elements and screws appropriate with the letter bombs despatched, and indications of preparatory work to assemble extra, the inside ministry mentioned.
