Three sentenced over Barcelona and Cambrils jihadist attacks

Three men who assisted the perpetrators of jihadist terrorist attacks in and around Barcelona that killed 16 people in 2017 have been jailed in Spain.

Two of the group were handed sentences of 53 and 46 years, while a third man was given an eight-year jail term. 

One of the perpetrators rammed a van into pedestrians in Barcelona's Las Ramblas tourist area, before a twin attack was launched in a nearby town.

The Islamic State group (IS) said it carried out the attacks.

Mohamed Houli Chemlal, 24, and Driss Oukabir, 32, were sentenced to 53 and 46 years respectively for offences that included belonging to a terrorist group and manufacturing and possessing explosives.

However, the judges said the pair would not serve more than 20 years behind bars. 

A third man, Said Ben Iazza, 26, was given an eight-year term for collaborating with a terrorist group.

During the investigation, Chemlal said the cell had planned to target sites like Barcelona's Sagrada Familia basilica. Police also found paperwork relating to Barcelona's Camp Nou football stadium and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.