ETA hunger striker moved as life hangs in balance 02/10/2006 00:00

2 October 2006

MADRID — An ETA prisoner who has been on hunger strike is to be transferred to another hospital for urgent medical attention.

Prison authorities said on Monday Ignacio de Juana Chaos, who has refused to eat solids since 7 August, will be moved from the prison hospital where he is being held in Algeciras in southern Spain.

The move came after the attorney general said a decision had to be taken with the "greatest urgency possible".

De Juana has been in hospital since 19 September.

He needs specialist treatment as his life is under threat, said authorities.

If De Juana were to die at a sensitive time in the peace process, with street protests in support of him by ETA supporters, it could cause a serious problem for the Spanish government and the Basque separatist organisation.

De Juana is supposed to be stand trial on 27 October, accused of making terrorist threats from jail.

He faces a total sentence of 96 years if convicted.

De Juana served more than 20 years in jail for the murders of 25 people in 11 different terrorist attacks.

When he made terrorist threats he forfeited the right to leave as his sentence was coming to an end.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news