http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_SPAIN_POPE_ARREST?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-08-17-06-36-35 MADRID (AP) -- Spanish police have arrested a chemistry student suspected of planning a gas attack against protesters opposed to a visit by Pope Benedict XVI, an official said Wednesday.
The pontiff is due to arrive Thursday for a nearly four-day visit to celebrate World Youth Day, and a protest march is scheduled for Wednesday evening in Madrid.
A police official said the suspect arrested in Madrid on Tuesday is a 24-year-old Mexican student specializing in organic chemistry. She would not say whether investigators believe the man was actually capable of carrying out a gas attack, and did not know if the man actually had chemicals for an attack.
The Mexican Embassy identified the detainee as Jose Perez Bautista and said he was from Puebla state, near Mexico City.