(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Spain reject the idea that a separatist armed group was behind the attacks against Madrid's train system three years ago, according to a poll by Instituto Opina released by Cadena Ser. 61.6 per cent of respondents think Basque Motherland and Liberty (ETA) was not involved in the bombings.

On Mar. 11, 2004, a series of explosions in one of Madrid's main railway stations, as well as three commuter trains, killed 190 people. A group allegedly linked to the al-Qaeda network claimed responsibility later, saying the attacks were prepared in retaliation for Spain's support of the United States-led military campaign in Iraq.

In the early stages of the investigation, the administration headed by president José María Aznar of the Popular Party (PP) blamed ETA for the bombings. In the general election held three days after the bombings, the Socialist Worker's Party (PSOE)—led by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero—emerged victorious. Many people at the time accused Aznar's government of trying to manipulate information about the Madrid attacks to implicate ETA.

In February, the Madrid bombings trial got underway in Spain. In all, 20 defendants—most of them Moroccan—are accused of carrying out the attack, aided by nine Spaniards who allegedly trafficked explosive materials. Spain abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 1995. In accordance with Spain's Penal Code, a conviction would carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison for each defendant

On Apr. 17, al-Qaeda's jailed leader in Spain, Syrian-born Imad Eddin Barakat, told a Madrid court that the attacks on commuter trains were "inadmissible," but that they took place in the context of the war in Iraq. Barakat denied al-Qaeda's responsibility, saying, "Islam does not allow such things."

Polling Data

Do you think Basque Motherland and Liberty (ETA) was involved in the Mar. 11, 2004 terrorist attacks?

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