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30 March 2007
MADRID – A demonstration by a new party was banned for its alleged links to Batasuna, the proscribed political arm of ETA.
And it appeared the new political grouping will also be prohibited from standing in the May elections.
The judge Baltasar Garzon decided on Friday to ban the planned demonstration by Abertzale Sozialisten Batasuna which was to have taken place in Baracaldo, in the Basque Country on Saturday.
He said it was a “new form” of Batasuna, the banned political wing of the Basque separatist group ETA.
Reacting to the ban, Arnaldo Otegi, leader of Batasuna, said: “A great attack on democratic liberties would be to stop the Basque separatists from being represented in the May elections.
“It would be like saying no to the democratic process and political dialogue.”
The new party registered itself with the interior ministry three days ago.
The Basque regional police and the Basque government said they did not believe the new party was directly linked with Batasuna.
[Copyright EFE with Expatica]
Subject: Spanish news