General Francisco Veguillas, director general of defense policy, was killed when the bomb exploded as his car was passing through the Plaza Ramales. His bodyguard and driver also died.
The force of the blast hurled one of the victims onto a nearby balcony. It injured about a dozen people. The injured included members of the Spanish National Dance company which is situated in the plaza, next to the headquarters of the old Royal Guard.
There was no immediate word on who was responsible for the bomb. But guerrillas of the Basque separatist organization ETA have often targeted the military in their 25-year-old struggle for an independent Basque state.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.