Major police operation against ETA's supporters in Navarre and the Basque Country in Spain

At least ten people were arrested during a police operation on the night of Monday 17 to Tuesday, January 18 in Navarre and the Basque country of Spain, to circles close to the Basque armed group ETA, officials said Hispanic media, citing sources of terrorism. The operation was conducted by order of a magistrate of the Audiencia Nacional - including the Madrid court in charge of terrorism cases - Judge Fernando Grande-Marlaska.

Six people were arrested in Pamplona (the capital of Navarra), Villava Etxarri, Aranaz, and Burlada Baranain, soupçonnnées to belong to the radical organization Ekin, considered the military wing of ETA. Among them was Iker Ibañez Moreno, son of Txelui Moreno, a former leader of Batasuna, the banned political showcase of ETA and current critic of the "Left abertzale" movement informal grouping of activists Batasuna.

According to media reports, those arrested are suspected of wanting to restore movement Ekin, considered by the Spanish courts as part of the nebula of the armed group ETA and already disbanded last September, shortly after the announcement by ETA of a suspension of offensive actions. Four more people arrested in the Basque Country and Navarre, suspected of computer support and propaganda for ETA, according to some Spanish media.

According to El Mundo, those arrested have in common to have attended secret meetings of Ekin, as representatives of various movements banned by the Spanish courts for their alleged links with ETA. It is the youth movement Segi Basque radical, movement of Basque prisoners Askatasuna and independence party Batasuna, considered the political wing of ETA.

This operation is the first crackdown against the entourage of ETA since the armed separatist organization announced Monday, January 10, a "cease-fire permanent, comprehensive and verifiable by the international community." The separatist group, held responsible for the deaths of 829 people in more than four years of violence for Basque independence, stated in its release that it was a "firm commitment of ETA process for a final solution and end the armed confrontation.

" But the Spanish government of Jose Zapatero LuisRodriguez rejected as insufficient the new ad, claiming once again the final and unconditional abandonment of armed struggle. The executive also warned that Spain's policy of extreme firmness against ETA and its surroundings would not change.

• Basque separatists Eta declare a 'permanent' end to violence (11/01/2011)
• A glance at Basque group ETA and its goals (10/01/2011)
• A glance at Basque group ETA and its goals - Washington Post (10/01/2011)
• Factbox: Key facts about Basque separatist group ETA (10/01/2011)
• ETA declares 'permanent' ceasefire (10/01/2011)

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