3/11 Madrid, Spain Train Bombings (2004)

The 11 March 2004 Madrid train bombings (also known as 3/11 and in Spanish as 11-M) consisted of a series of coordinated bombings against the Cercanías (commuter train) system of Madrid, Spain on the morning of 11 March 2004 (three days before Spain's general elections), killing 191 people and wounding 1,800.

The official investigation by the Spanish Judiciary determined the attacks were directed by a Muslim al-Qaeda-inspired terrorist cell although no direct al-Qaeda participation (only "inspiration") has been established. Spanish Muslims who did not carry out the attacks but who sold the explosives to the terrorists were also arrested. (Source: Wikipedia)

Case of Bernard Mayfield

Brandon Mayfield (born July 15, 1966) is an American attorney in Washington County, Oregon. He is best known for being erroneously linked to the 2004 Madrid train bombings.

On May 6, 2004, the FBI arrested Mayfield as a material witness in connection with the Madrid attacks, and held him for over two weeks. Mayfield was never charged, and an FBI internal review later acknowledged serious errors in their investigation.

Ensuing lawsuits have resulted in a formal apology from the U.S. government, a $2 million settlement, and the overturning of provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act on constitutional grounds. (Source: Wikipedia)

1. A Review of the FBI's Handling of the Brandon Mayfield Case (Unclassified and Redacted), March 2006 [330 Pages, 10.9mb]