Saudi cleric denies reports linking him to Madrid blasts

Saudi cleric Shaikh Salman Al Ouda, has denied Western press reports claiming a joint investigation by Spanish and German police linking him to the Madrid bombings in March in which 191 people were killed.

He said he would sue the 'prejudiced' journalists who were behind the reports.

A statement by Al Ouda, a copy of which was received by Gulf News, described the reports as no more than fabrications and lies. Al Ouda said the court is the only reference of authority to establish or dismiss this matter.

On claims that he had sent money to one of the suspects, Al Ouda said if there were any financial remittances these are all documented in bank records.

The joint police investigation claimed that Al Ouda was behind the train blasts.

Spain's El Mundo and Italy's Il Corriere della Sera, which Thursday published details of the probe, said that Al Aouda, had funded the suspected mastermind of the bombing Rabie Osman Al Sayed during his stay in Spain between October 2001 and February 2003.

Al Sayed reportedly used the money to carry out the attacks.

"I worked for him in Spain," Al Sayed said in a phone conversation taped by Italian police, adding that he had "earned" 2,000 euros ($2,465 ) a month.

"I can get money from Jeddah by making a phone call," he was heard saying in another phone conversation.

"Frankly speaking, we do not provide support even for humanitarian or educational activities because we know that charity work is being targeted and also because our resources do not permit this.

"It is indeed ironic the report says we pay monthly salaries of 10,000 riyals. How is it possible?" said Shaikh Al Ouda who runs a famous website named "Islam Today".

Al Ouda also denied that he he knew Al Sayed. He said he had heard that name for the first time when he came to know of the reports in the newspapers.