Guide Note

October 5, 2007: Spanish police arrested leaders of the outlawed nationalist party Batasuna. The arrests were made during a meeting of the Batasuna leadership in the Basque region of Northern Spain.

Fast Facts

1. Batasuna is the political wing of Euskadi Ta Azkatasuna (ETA), a separatist group
2. Biggest crackdown on Batasuna since ETA called off a 15-month ceasefire in June, 2007¹
3. 22 were arrested¹
4. Charges: Holding an illegal political meeting¹
5. Batasuna leader Arnaldo Otegi arrested in June, 2007
6. Otegi jailed for 15 months for praising terrorism²
7. Joseba Permach, who took over leadership from Otegi, was one of the 22 arrested
8. ETA considered a terrorist organization
9. ETA formed with the goal of creating a completely independent, socialist Basque
10. Struggle for Basque independence dates back to the 19th century
11. Basque has operated under an autonomous government in Spain since 1978