Imam accused of promoting violence against women

An imam in Terrassa, Spain, was arrested for encouraging his followers to discipline women who fail to obey their husbands or strict Islamic law, police said. Abdeslam Laaroussi is accused of suggesting ways to beat women without breaking their bones or making them bleed, ThinkSpain reported Wednesday. Police said Laaroussi was subpoenaed after complaints were filed saying he was encouraging violence against women. The imam declined to give a statement and was charged with "disseminating discriminatory messages and violating the principle of equality and of women's right to physical and moral integrity," police said. ThinkSpain said Laaroussi's sermons are usually attended by some 1,500 people.