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Suspected sender of letter bombs in Spain acted alone — newspaper

Last year, an explosion occurred at the Ukrainian Embassy in the Spanish capital

© Europa Press/ABACA via Reuters Connect

MADRID, January 25. /TASS/. The individual suspected of mailing letters containing explosives to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid allegedly acted alone, El Pais reported on Wednesday citing police sources.

The 74-year-old alleged sender of the dangerous parcels has been detained in Spain. According to the newspaper, the perpetrator is a Spanish citizen who was a public employee at Vitoria’s city hall before retirement. According to the investigation, it is presumed that he acted alone and his ties to any group have not been established. Currently, the police are searching his home.

Earlier, The New York Times claimed that US and European authorities think that members of Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU, currently the General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate) may be involved in the dissemination of dangerous packages in Spain. The Russian Embassy in Madrid branded this assertion as a fantasy.

Last year, an explosion occurred at the Ukrainian Embassy in the Spanish capital. A letter with a homemade bomb addressed to the ambassador was opened by an employee of the diplomatic agency. He sustained a minor wound on his hand and sought medical aid at a Madrid hospital. Additionally, such letters were sent to an airbase in Torrejon de Ardoz, to the Instalaza arms-producing company, to the Spanish prime minister and Defense Minister Margarita Robles. A package with an explosive device was also intercepted at the US Embassy in Madrid.

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