fight against terrorism
18.11.08 - 17:19 -
Suspected Basque separatist rebel group ETA military chief Garikoitz Aspiazu Rubina, known as "Txeroki" or "Cherokee", and his companion Leire Lopez Zurutuza, covered by blankets, are driven away by hooded police during their transfer from Cauterets to Bayonne in southwestern France. REUTERS / Laurent Dard
Following his arrest in the French town of Cauterets yesterday, ETA military chief, Garikoitz Aspiazu, 'Txeroki', was taken to Paris in an official aeroplane today along with his companion, Leire López Zurutuza, also arrested yesterday, to appear before the French tribunal which deals with terrorism. Previously both had made statements in Bayona police station where they arrived covered by blankets and in separate cars.
The leader of the Basque separatist group, according to French Interior Minister, Michèle Alliot-Marie, will be handed over to the authorities in Spain, where there are 22 Supreme Court cases pending against him.
The arrest of the two ETA members was carried out under the orders of Paris judge Laurence Le Vert, who is specialist in ETA cases in France. Le Vert is the judge in charge of the case of the attack in the French town of Capbreton which killed two Civil Guards on December 1st 2007 and which 'Txeroki' had admitted taking part in according to Spanish authorities.
Interior Minister, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, revealed yesterday that number plates which were "impossible" given the age of the car that the two ETA members were using helped Civil Guards locate their whereabouts.
In his statement to the press yesterday, the Interior Minister said that since the attack on Madrid's Barajas airport which brought an end to the cease fire, the capture of 'Txeroki' had been a top priority for the Security Forces.
Today the PSOE Congress spokesperson, José Antonio Alonso, said that the arrest had been "a real blow" to ETA but had also warned that it would be necessary to "keep the guard well up" because the terrorists "will continue to do what they've always done." Alonso also said that in the fight against terrorism, international collaboration and political unity were "very important." Regarding what now awaits 'Txeroki', he said that: "He is going to do possibly 40 years without any type of liberty."
