Spain to extradite convicted train bomber

MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- A Spanish court on Tuesday agreed to temporarily extradite a man convicted in the 2004 Madrid train bombings to Morocco, where he faces charges in connection with the Casablanca bombings in 2003, a court spokeswoman told CNN.

The convict, Moroccan-born Hassan el Haski, 45, is serving a 15-year sentence in Spain for leadership in a terrorist group, in connection with the Madrid train bombings in 2004 that killed 191 people.

The National Court on Tuesday authorized his extradition, for six months, to Morocco, where authorities have linked him to the Casablanca bombings in May 2003 that killed 33 bystanders and 12 suicide bombers.

The court said Haski could be held longer in Morocco, if his trial there takes more than six months, according to a copy of the three-page ruling, viewed by CNN.

Haski is among 18 people serving sentences for the Madrid train bombings, including 14 Islamic militants and four Spaniards.

The Spaniards were convicted for trafficking in explosives that ended up being used in the attacks.

The train bombing trial was held last year. Spain's Supreme Court ruled last July on numerous appeals to the initial sentencing by the National Court, which handles cases of terrorism.

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