An extradition bid against a suspected Basque terrorist in Northern Ireland was rejected today.
Spanish authorities had sought a European arrest warrant against Arturo Villanueva Arteaga (33) for membership of an Eta sub-group and linked him to violence such as bus burning dating back to 1994.
However, Belfast recorder Judge Tom Burgess said the bid lacked detail about the actions of the accused which could connect him to the banned group.
Judge Burgess said: “I have therefore concluded that the particulars given are general and lack any specificity as to the actions of the requested person which evidences his alleged membership of the organisation such as attending meetings, giving interviews, being involved in the organisation of the group (and if so, how), and other outward manifestations that might allow the court to come to a view that the element of membership of the group is particularised with proper specificity.”
He added: “I therefore accede to the application that the warrant is invalid.”
Mr Arteaga had been living in Northern Ireland for up to six years and had established a tourism business. He was arrested in April this year after the High Court of Spain issued the arrest warrant for the offence of being a member of Jarrai.
It claimed he carried out violent and coercive actions in the Basque region from 1994 to 2000. These allegedly included bus burning, setting street furniture on fire and arson against government facilities.
The arrest warrant said he “carried out attacks against private individuals and police, organised campaigns to discredit judges and police, he encouraged
that institutions be persecuted by citizens, Basque business be coerced and forced to pay money if they do not want to suffer damages”.
Sinn Féin welcomed today's news.
“It is Sinn Féin’s belief that the Spanish government should desist from such actions and focus upon exploring the unconditional declaration of support for a peaceful, political and democratic process by the Basque Abertzale Left grouping this week,” said MEP Bairbre de Brun
Last week a Belfast court heard details of proceedings against Inaki de Juana Chaos who is also wanted in Spain for terrorism-related offences. He is a convicted Eta killer wanted for allegedly justifying terrorism.
PA