THE HAGUE, Aug 18 (AFP) - Dutch authorities on Wednesday arrested a man who they believe is wanted internationally on suspicions of involvement in the Madrid bombings in March that killed 191 people.
"We are currently checking the man's identity," prosecutor Paul Frielink told NOS television.
The Spanish Interior Ministry said Wednesday that Spain is sending policemen to the Netherlands to help with the identification of the suspect.
In all Dutch police arrested nine people during two raids in the southern town of Roosendaal.
Seven were handed over to immigration authorities while the identity of two was still being checked.
One of the men was being held because Dutch police suspect he is a man named on an international arrest warrant issued by Spain for his alleged involvement in the Madrid bombings.
"The police had information that one or more internationally wanted suspects of the March 11 attacks on Madrid were residing in the Netherlands," the prosecutor's office said in a short statement.
Prosecutor Frielink said his office hoped to get a confirmation of the suspect's identity "in the next few days".
The other man in custody was being held on charges of possession of illegal substances. During one of the raids the police found 600 ecstacy tablets and half a kilo (a pound) of cocaine.
In all twenty people are being held in connection with the deadly attacks in Madrid. Among the eighteen held in Spain there are three men suspected of actually planting the bombs in rush hour trains, killing almost 200.