Would-be terrorists given lengthy jail terms in Spain

MADRID, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish High Court (Audiencia Nacional) on Tuesday handed out prison sentences ranging from eight to 12 years to members of a group of 10 terrorists who were arrested in Barcelona in 2015, the Spanish media reported.

The members of the group had been planning a series of attacks at emblematic locations in Barcelona, along with a subsequent kidnap and decapitation of a person who they intended to dress in an orange jumpsuit as used by the Islamic State in several propaganda videos.

The court decided that the ten members of the group made up a terrorist cell which existed with the "only aim and motive of fulfilling the dictates of DAESH and to carry out attacks on institutions such as the police, banks, or Jewish interests in Spain."

The three leaders of the group were given 12-year sentences, although Spanish prosecutors had asked for 19 years, while the remaining seven members were given eight-year prison terms. Enditem