Italy court convicts Egyptian for Madrid bombing

MILAN, Nov 6 (Reuters) An Egyptian became the first person convicted for the 2004 Madrid train bombings today when an Italian court sentenced him to 10 years in prison, cour sources said.

Rabei Osman Sayed Ahmed, also known as ''Mohamed the Egyptian'', was arrested in Milan three months after the March 11, 2004 blasts that killed 191 people. He had been charged with subversive conspiracy and international terrorism.

Prosecutors say Ahmed had close ties to the bombers and claimed responsibility in recorded conversations for helping plan the bombing on packed commuter trains.

REUTERS SP ND1914