MADRID, Jan 23: Six Pakistani nationals who were arrested earlier this week on suspicion of tax fraud and diverting funds to terrorist groups, were granted conditional release on Friday, a court spokesman said.

Top anti-terrorism judge Baltasar Garzon ordered their release due to a “lack of evidence” but said the investigation into their suspected illicit activities would continue, the spokesman said.

The six, who were arrested on Tuesday in Barcelona on Garzon’s orders, will have to report either to the police station or the Pakistani consulate nearest to their place of residence once a week while the probe continues, he said.

Spanish police have carried out several operations against suspected extremists since the bomb attacks on three trains in Madrid on March 11, 2004 which killed 191 people.—AFP