Delay to full hearing of ETA terror suspect

A FULL hearing on extradition warrants from Spain and France for a man accused of being a member of the Basque separatist terror group ETA has been delayed.

Benat Atorrasagasti Ordonez, 36, was arrested in Leith in July. He is wanted to stand trial by the Spanish authorities, who allege he was a member of ETA and involved in moving weaponry and men from France to Spain for the purposes of terrorism and in gathering information about politicians and police.

Ordonez denies all the allegations. The case was due to be heard at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on September 7, but a preliminary hearing will now be held on October 8.

In 2008, Ordonez was sentenced, in his absence, to five years in prison by a French court on charges of criminal conspiracy, carrying out acts of terrorism and recruiting and training members for ETA.