International officer for Ógra Shinn Féin John McDermott has condemned the arrest of 14 suspected youth activists of the Basque independence youth movement Segi. The 14 were arrested in raids in the Basque country and Catalonia last Friday. (22nd Oct)
An estimated 300 heavily armed agents of the Spanish state clad in balaclavas were involved in the dawn swoops.
In November 2009 34 people accused of being Segi members were arrested. Following the arrest last week the Spanish alleged that the arrested people were Segi members and were involved in leading the organisation following the arrests of November 2009.
Speaking following the arrests John McDermott, Ógra Shinn Féins international officer said the continued escalation of repression by the Spanish government shows their fears of the growth and support for the pro independence movement:
“These arrests come with a backdrop of initiatives by the pro independence movement aimed at moving the situation in the Basque Country forward by peaceful means. This is somewhat contrasted by the response of the Spanish State.
“It is no coincidence that just this week fifteen Spanish policemen have gone on trial in the Basque country over alleged torture of ETA suspects. Such torture has been commonplace for many suspected Basque independence activists. This along with the arrests should end.
“Only this week Gara (The Basque newspaper) reported that a new pro independence party would be formed and aimed to field candidates in Basque local elections next year, advocating exclusively peaceful means toward Basque independence. It would seem that the Spanish feel threatened by the prospect of the pro independence movement gaining support through this method.
Also this week Sinn Féin party president was joined by Sinn Féin assembly members in calling for the release of Basque prisoner, Arnaldo Otegi as well as the other Basque pro independence suspects imprisoned.
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