ETA calls off ceasefire, Spanish government arrests leader

The Spanish government arrested Arnaldo Otegi, leader of the outlawed Basque Batasuna party, on June 8—the latest

move in retaliation since the Basque Homeland and Freedom (ETA) organization announced the end of a 15-month ceasefire. Three people accused of belonging to ETA were arrested in southern France the day before.

The Spanish government’s repression campaign against ETA continued unabated even during the cease-fire. Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero claims 92 members of the group have been arrested since the ceasefire began in March 2006.

ETA has been waging an armed struggle as part of the broader movement for the national liberation of the Basque people, whose homeland is controlled by France and Spain. Spain outlawed the Basque Batasuna party for “supporting terror” because it refused to condemn ETA’s armed struggle.