Spain arrests 13 in swoop on ETA backers

Spanish police arrested 13 people linked to support groups for ETA prisoners today on suspicion of being active members of the…

Spanish police arrested 13 people linked to support groups for ETA prisoners today on suspicion of being active members of the Basque separatist guerrilla organisation, officials said.

Those arrested were members of Gestoras pro-Amnistia, which campaigns for pardons for convicted ETA members, police said.

Interior Minister Mariano Rajoy accused Gestoras pro-Amnistia of working with ETA and of pointing out those responsible for the situation in which ETA prisoners are, making people and institutions who do not support ETA potential terrorist targets.

A source at Gestoras pro-Amnistia told Reutersearlier the 13 were being held on suspicion of forming part of ETA. Further comment was not immediately available.

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The arrests in the Basque region and neighbouring Navarre follow a series of swoops by Spanish and French police in recent months, including the arrest of at least two people believed to be senior members of the organisation.