Police in northern Spain have arrested 13 individuals on charges of connections to the separatist group ETA. Law enforcement officials detained these individuals today in the Basque Country near Navarre. Judge Baltasar Garzón issued the arrest warrants as part of a crackdown on the Basque terrorist movement. Ángel Acebes, Spain's Minister of the Interior, told reporters that the 13 detainees were part of a core group attempting to reorganize ETA. In recent months, Spanish authorities have arrested dozens on suspicion of membership and leadership in this organization. The arrest of these thirteen comes one day after police defused a 7-kilogram bomb in the Basque Country. According to the Associated Press, this bomb, discovered in the town of Morata, targeted local police forces. ETA has been responsible for the deaths of over 800 people during its three-decade violent struggle for an independent state in the Basque Country in northern Spain and southwestern France.
Police in Northern Spain Arrest 13 Individuals on Charges of Ties to Separatist Group ETA - 2003-02-19
Police in northern Spain arrested 13 individuals linked to the separatist group ETA as part of an ongoing crackdown on the organization. This follows the defusal of a bomb targeting local police, highlighting the ongoing violence associated with ETA's separatist agenda. The situation underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in the region.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Police in Spain arrested 13 individuals linked to the separatist group ETA.
- Spanish police arrest 13 individuals
- Judge Baltasar Garzón crackdown ETA
- Spanish police defuse 7-kilogram bomb
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The arrests signify a continued commitment by Spain to combat terrorism in the Basque region.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%