Leading ETA separatist arrested in French hotel

By HAROLD HECKLE
Published on 29/10/2012 00:00

A KEY member of the Basque separatist group ETA, responsible for its arms and explosives caches, was arrested in eastern France at the weekend, officials said.

Izaskun Lesaka, 37, and another suspected ETA member, Joseba Iturbide Ochoteco, 35 were held in the early hours of yesterday by elite French police in a hotel in Macon, France, according to a statement by Spain’s Interior Ministry.

The suspects, both armed, were tracked down and arrested by a special operations tactical unit of the French National Police in close collaboration with Spanish counterparts, the ministry said.

Lesaka was considered one of ETA’s top three leaders, and police seized “abundant computer equipment and a stolen car with false number plates”.

ETA announced a definitive ceasefire late last year, but Spain insists it must lay down its arms and dissolve before the government takes such declarations seriously. Lesaka was said to be one of three hooded ETA members present at the announcement of the ceasefire.