New demonstrations by ETA supporters in Basque region

11 February 2008

BILBAO – Thousands of supporters of the militant Basque separatist group ETA took part in an illegal demonstration in the industrial city of Bilbao Sunday following rioting the previous evening over the banning of two separatist parties.

The demonstrators put up street barricades with burning rubbish containers and toppled cars.

The security forces used rubber bullets and batons against them.

Militant ETA supporters had attacked the socialist community council building in San Sebastian with incendiaries in the early hours of Saturday to protest the move by the National Court.

Nobody was hurt in the incident, police said.

Socialist party offices and those of the governing Basque nationalists as well as several banks and a railway station near Bilbao and in Vitoria were also attacked with incendiaries causing material damage.

The Basque Nationalist Action (ANV) and the Communist Party of Basque Lands (EHAK-PCTV) would have to stay out of political life for three years, Judge Baltasar Garzon ruled. Both parties were barred from contesting the 9 March legislative elections.

Subject: Spanish news