This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/06/world/europe/mikel-irastorza-captured-spain-basque-eta.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Leader of Basque Separatist Group ETA Is Captured in France Suspected Leader of Basque Separatist Group ETA Is Captured
(35 minutes later)
MADRID — The man believed to be the leader of the Basque separatist group ETA was arrested Saturday in southwestern France, in what the Spanish government described as “a hard blow” to the group’s ability to carry out attacks using the weaponry still in its hands.MADRID — The man believed to be the leader of the Basque separatist group ETA was arrested Saturday in southwestern France, in what the Spanish government described as “a hard blow” to the group’s ability to carry out attacks using the weaponry still in its hands.
The man, Mikel Irastorza, 41, was detained in a house in Ascain, a village near the border with Spain, in a joint operation involving the French and Spanish security forces.The man, Mikel Irastorza, 41, was detained in a house in Ascain, a village near the border with Spain, in a joint operation involving the French and Spanish security forces.
Mr. Irastorza had been on the run since 2008, when ETA, which stands for the Basque phrase Euskadi ta Askatasuna, or Basque Homeland and Liberty, was in a significantly weakened state because of the arrests of many members. He became the group’s top leader after two people suspected of leading it, David Pla and Iratxe Sorzábal, were arrested in September 2015, Spain’s Interior Ministry said in a statement.Mr. Irastorza had been on the run since 2008, when ETA, which stands for the Basque phrase Euskadi ta Askatasuna, or Basque Homeland and Liberty, was in a significantly weakened state because of the arrests of many members. He became the group’s top leader after two people suspected of leading it, David Pla and Iratxe Sorzábal, were arrested in September 2015, Spain’s Interior Ministry said in a statement.
Mr. Irastorza’s arrest makes it “difficult for the terrorist group to reach any of its objectives,” the ministry said.Mr. Irastorza’s arrest makes it “difficult for the terrorist group to reach any of its objectives,” the ministry said.
ETA has killed more than 800 people since the late 1960s as part of its campaign to establish an independent Basque homeland in northern Spain and southwestern France. The United States and the European Union consider it a terrorist organization.ETA has killed more than 800 people since the late 1960s as part of its campaign to establish an independent Basque homeland in northern Spain and southwestern France. The United States and the European Union consider it a terrorist organization.
The group has not killed anyone on Spanish soil since 2009, and its last victim was a French police officer, shot in 2010 during a botched car theft near Paris.The group has not killed anyone on Spanish soil since 2009, and its last victim was a French police officer, shot in 2010 during a botched car theft near Paris.
In October 2011, ETA declared a cease-fire but refused to surrender unconditionally and turn over all its weapons. Since then, the government in Madrid has continued to round up its members, in close cooperation with the French police and police forces in other countries. Security experts now consider the group unable to carry out significant operations.In October 2011, ETA declared a cease-fire but refused to surrender unconditionally and turn over all its weapons. Since then, the government in Madrid has continued to round up its members, in close cooperation with the French police and police forces in other countries. Security experts now consider the group unable to carry out significant operations.
Weapons have also been seized, including a cache that was found in a forest north of Paris last month, containing about 145 handguns. The Spanish government has since refused to comment on whether it believes the group had planned to hand over those weapons rather than use them to carry out an attack.Weapons have also been seized, including a cache that was found in a forest north of Paris last month, containing about 145 handguns. The Spanish government has since refused to comment on whether it believes the group had planned to hand over those weapons rather than use them to carry out an attack.
One of the government’s main concerns has been preventing the group from gaining any political advantage from a negotiated surrender. It has also opposed any deal that could help more of ETA’s members or sympathizers make a smooth transition to legal political activities in the Basque region.One of the government’s main concerns has been preventing the group from gaining any political advantage from a negotiated surrender. It has also opposed any deal that could help more of ETA’s members or sympathizers make a smooth transition to legal political activities in the Basque region.
Members of ETA have recently been looking to establish contacts with the authorities in France, rather than Spain, to negotiate a surrender before next year’s French presidential election, according to Spanish news reports. But Spain has rejected previous international mediation efforts, insisting that it would not allow the Basque group to end the conflict with a deal similar to the one brokered in Northern Ireland.Members of ETA have recently been looking to establish contacts with the authorities in France, rather than Spain, to negotiate a surrender before next year’s French presidential election, according to Spanish news reports. But Spain has rejected previous international mediation efforts, insisting that it would not allow the Basque group to end the conflict with a deal similar to the one brokered in Northern Ireland.
This year, Spain’s judiciary stopped a leading independence activist, Arnaldo Otegi, from running in regional Basque elections, shortly after he was released from prison.This year, Spain’s judiciary stopped a leading independence activist, Arnaldo Otegi, from running in regional Basque elections, shortly after he was released from prison.
Mr. Otegi has served multiple sentences for his links to ETA, his most recent after a conviction for trying to rebuild an outlawed party that was ETA’s political arm. Mr. Otegi criticized the arrest of Mr. Irastorza, saying during a news conference on Saturday that it was proof that “there is a government that continues to follow the logic of war.”Mr. Otegi has served multiple sentences for his links to ETA, his most recent after a conviction for trying to rebuild an outlawed party that was ETA’s political arm. Mr. Otegi criticized the arrest of Mr. Irastorza, saying during a news conference on Saturday that it was proof that “there is a government that continues to follow the logic of war.”
A Spanish man and a Frenchwoman were also arrested on Saturday, the Interior Ministry said. They owned the house in which Mr. Irastorza was detained and are accused of sheltering him there.A Spanish man and a Frenchwoman were also arrested on Saturday, the Interior Ministry said. They owned the house in which Mr. Irastorza was detained and are accused of sheltering him there.