Madrid, Europe Brief News – Several high-profile Spanish figures, including the Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, were targeted by letter bombs.
Officials say the defence minister and foreign ambassadors were among the other targets.
It is thought the bombs could be linked to Spain’s support for Ukraine, but no-one has yet claimed to have sent them.
Russia – which invaded Ukraine in February – has condemned any “terrorist” activity, saying such threats or acts were “totally reprehensible”.
On Thursday afternoon, the US embassy in Madrid confirmed that it, too, had received a “suspicious package” – thanking the security forces for their help dealing with it.
The Spanish government had earlier said that explosive devices had been sent to five targets.
It said an envelope containing pyrotechnic material had been sent to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, but was intercepted on 24 November before anyone was hurt.
A male worker at the Ukrainian embassy was taken to hospital after being hurt when he opened the letter bomb, but Ukraine said his life was not in danger.
Another suspicious shipment was at Torrejón Air Force Base early Thursday morning Madrid been intercepted. From there, military planes take off with supplies for the Ukraine. This package is currently being investigated by the police. “The scanner showed that there was a suspicious mechanism in it,” said a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defense of the German Press Agency.
Also on Thursday morning, the Defense Department received a fifth letter bomb addressed to Secretary of Defense Margarita Robles, Pérez said. This shipment was also neutralized.
