Three go on trial over Barcelona jihadist attacks which left 16 dead

Defendants accused of forming part of extremist cell that carried out attacks in 2017

This combination of pictures created on November 10, 2020 shows Mohamed Houli Chemial (L), Driss Oukabir (C) and Said Ben Iazza, the three accused of helping the perpetrators of 2017 jihadist attacks in Catalonia, sitting in the National Court in San Fernando de Henares near Madrid (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Three people have gone on trial in Spain for their alleged involvement in terror attacks around Barcelona that left 16 dead and 140 injured in 2017.

Driss Oukabir, Mohamed Houli Chemlal and Said Ben Iazza went on trial on Tuesday for forming part of the extremist group that carried out the attacks. They are not accused to taking part directly in the attacks.

The three have been in custody since the attacks took place. Prosecutors are asking for prison terms ranging from eight to 41 years.

On 17 August 2017, two separate attacks erupted in and near Barcelona. A man driving a van plowed into part of the city’s crowded Las Ramblas boulevard, killing several people and injuring many others before escaping on foot.

A similar vehicle attack was carried out by members of the same cell in the nearby resort town of Cambrils. The attackers there, who were carrying knives and fake explosive belts, were later shot dead by police.

Carlos Tena, who was a witness, told The Associated Press that he was walking out of an alleyway near Las Ramblas that day when he heard people screaming and the sound of a car hitting people.

He took photographs of the scene, which showed bodies and victims strewn across the street.

Mr Tena said he has been diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic stress following the attacks and has not been able to resume normal life. He said he hoped the trial “would condemn these persons to the maximum years possible”.

The trial began with a video showing members of the extremist cell, including one of defendant Houli Chemlal, preparing explosives while the group made jokes and threatened to carry out terror attacks.

Following his arrest, Chemlal told authorities that he had been told what to say during the video and he did not agree with what they did. He declined to take prosecutor’s questions on Tuesday but told the court he has “always shown my desire to collaborate and my repentance”.

Two members of the cell, including an imam believed to have been the ringleader, died in an explosion at a country house where they had been preparing explosives just hours before the vehicle attacks took place. Chemlal was injured in the blast.

Another defendant, Driss Oukabir, whose name was on the rental contract for the van used in the Barcelona attack, told the court he rented it as a favour and thought it was for a house removal.

He claimed he had not known the imam, was not religious and was more interested in partying, drinking and drugs.

Police believed the cell had been planning to attack major monuments and other sites with the explosives.

The trial is expected to continue until 16 December.