Madrid bomb suspects threaten to starve to death

MADRID, May 17 (Reuters) Suspects on trial for deadly train bomb attacks in Madrid are prepared to starve themselves to death in protest at charges they say are a sham, lawyers for the accused said in a letter to the court today.

Nine suspects went on hunger strike on Wednesday, joining four already refusing food, although two of the newest hunger strikers gave up today after only one day and had a meal of lentils and steak, court officials said.

The 29 accused are standing trial over Islamist bomb attacks on Madrid trains which killed 191 people in 2004.

The hunger strikers say the charges are trumped up and that they are being used as pawns in a political game, the lawyers said.

''In their eyes, the presumption of innocence they should enjoy has been transformed -- politically, socially and through the media -- into a presumption of guilt,'' the letter said.

''This has provoked such a great feeling of desperation that they prefer to die than suffer.'' A judge warned suspects yesterday they would be force-fed if necessary.

Most of the accused are from North Africa or West Asia.

Nine are Spaniards. The trial began in February and is expected to last several more weeks.

Public prosecutors blame the deadly March 11 attacks, where 10 bombs ripped through four Madrid commuter trains, on a group of Islamist militants inspired by al-Qaeda.

REUTERS PB VV2238