Spanish Authorities Re-Arrest Al-Jazeera Journalist

Spanish authorities have again arrested a leading journalist with the Arab Al-Jazeera television network, charged last year with ties to the al-Qaida terrorist movement.

Officials say they detained Tayseer Alouni Thursday in the southern city of Granada, fearing he might flee after a court this week rejected appeals from him and 20 other terrorism suspects. The action brings them closer to trial.

Spanish authorities had released the journalist on bail for health reasons a year ago, shortly after arresting him on suspicion of paying up to $4,000 to al-Qaida members in foreign countries in the mid-1990's. Mr. Alouni denies supporting terrorism, saying he paid the money out of solidarity with the Arab community.

Mr. Alouni interviewed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.