Judge releases one of Barcelona attack suspects

A judge yesterday ordered two of the four surviving suspects in the extremist attacks in Spain held without bail, another detained for 72 more hours and one freed with restrictions after the men appeared in court to answer questions about the events that killed 15 people last Thursday.

National Court Judge Fernando Andreu issued his orders after quizzing the four about the attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils and the fatal explosion at a bomb-making workshop.

The judge said there was enough evidence to hold Mohamed Houli Chemlal, 21, and Driss Oukabir, 28, on preliminary charges of causing homicides and injuries of a terrorist nature and of belonging to a terrorism organisation.

Houli Chemlal also has an additional charge of dealing with explosives.

However, the judge ruled the evidence was “not solid enough” to hold Mohamed Aalla, who was freed on conditions he appears in court weekly, relinquishes his passport and does not leave Spain.

Salah El Karib will remain in custody for at least 72 hours while police inquiries continue, the judge said.

Pictured left: A policeman hugs a boy and his family he helped during the attack in Barcelona. Right, clockwise from top left: Mohamed Houli Chemlal, Salah El Karib, Mohamed Aallaa and Driss Oukabir. Pictures: AP.