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06/10/2009
Basque Extradition Case Adjourned
Just 20 protesters turned up at Belfast's court complex yesterday as one of the two fugitive Basque activists based in NI continued to fight against extradition, writes Carla Liebana.
This preliminary hearing saw Arturo Beñat Villanueva appearing in the city's Crown Court to have his case adjourned.
He was remanded on continuing bail to be returned to the Crown Court at a date that has yet to be set.
Beñat Villanueva, who has lived in west Belfast for more than five years, is accused by the Spanish Government of being a member of the pro-independence political youth organization Haika (previously called Jarrai) in the 1990s.
This group, which is supposedly linked to the Spanish terrorist organisation ETA, was outlawed in 2005 and categorized as 'terrorist' in 2007.
He is also wanted for his failure to attend a court hearing in Spain to answer the charges.
Former Basque prisoner Iñaki de Juana Chaos is also fighting extradition having been charged with glorifying terrorism in a letter - which he insists he did not write - which was read to an earlier Basque meeting in Spain.
'Glorifying terrorism', in word or deed is considered as a criminal offence in Spain.
De Juana was originally condemned to 3,000 years in jail for 25 murders, but he was released in August 2008, after being spent 19 years in prison.
Later, he was accused of being the author of the letter and was arrested in Belfast last year.
De Juana has been on probation under conditions imposed by the Northern Ireland courts since 17th November 2008 and he is also waiting for his extradition hearing. It was postponed last August, and is supposed to be heard soon, at the end of October.
Four months ago, Beñat Villanueva and De Juana Chaos started a signatories campaign for a petition demanding that the British government reject the extradition.
It claims their human rights are being breached by the Spanish government for their political opinions. Last week it reached 1,000 signatures.
Yesterday, the support group 'Don't Extradite the Basques' organized a protest against the Spanish government outside the Courts, when the hearing began.
However, the protest only attracted around 20 protesters including Andersonstown Sinn Féin representative and newly co-opted councillor Caoimhín Mac Giolla Mhín.
She spoke at the event in addition to human rights lawyer Pádraigín Drinan.
Meanwhile, the Sinn Féin MEP, Bairbre de Brún has also been commenting.
"The two men are essentially being pursued solely for their political ideas and the extradition attempts are purely political on behalf of the Spanish authorities and this needs to be challenged and rejected".
"Both men have been living openly in Ireland and Sinn Féin supports the demand for Inaki Iñaki de Juana and Arturo Villanueva to continue to do so," Brún concluded.
See: Suspected ETA Sympathizer Bailed In Belfast Court
(CL/BMcC)
This preliminary hearing saw Arturo Beñat Villanueva appearing in the city's Crown Court to have his case adjourned.
He was remanded on continuing bail to be returned to the Crown Court at a date that has yet to be set.
Beñat Villanueva, who has lived in west Belfast for more than five years, is accused by the Spanish Government of being a member of the pro-independence political youth organization Haika (previously called Jarrai) in the 1990s.
This group, which is supposedly linked to the Spanish terrorist organisation ETA, was outlawed in 2005 and categorized as 'terrorist' in 2007.
He is also wanted for his failure to attend a court hearing in Spain to answer the charges.
Former Basque prisoner Iñaki de Juana Chaos is also fighting extradition having been charged with glorifying terrorism in a letter - which he insists he did not write - which was read to an earlier Basque meeting in Spain.
'Glorifying terrorism', in word or deed is considered as a criminal offence in Spain.
De Juana was originally condemned to 3,000 years in jail for 25 murders, but he was released in August 2008, after being spent 19 years in prison.
Later, he was accused of being the author of the letter and was arrested in Belfast last year.
De Juana has been on probation under conditions imposed by the Northern Ireland courts since 17th November 2008 and he is also waiting for his extradition hearing. It was postponed last August, and is supposed to be heard soon, at the end of October.
Four months ago, Beñat Villanueva and De Juana Chaos started a signatories campaign for a petition demanding that the British government reject the extradition.
It claims their human rights are being breached by the Spanish government for their political opinions. Last week it reached 1,000 signatures.
Yesterday, the support group 'Don't Extradite the Basques' organized a protest against the Spanish government outside the Courts, when the hearing began.
However, the protest only attracted around 20 protesters including Andersonstown Sinn Féin representative and newly co-opted councillor Caoimhín Mac Giolla Mhín.
She spoke at the event in addition to human rights lawyer Pádraigín Drinan.
Meanwhile, the Sinn Féin MEP, Bairbre de Brún has also been commenting.
"The two men are essentially being pursued solely for their political ideas and the extradition attempts are purely political on behalf of the Spanish authorities and this needs to be challenged and rejected".
"Both men have been living openly in Ireland and Sinn Féin supports the demand for Inaki Iñaki de Juana and Arturo Villanueva to continue to do so," Brún concluded.
See: Suspected ETA Sympathizer Bailed In Belfast Court
(CL/BMcC)
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18 November 2008
Belfast Backs Basque
Supporters of a Basque man living in Belfast - the Belfast Basque Solidarity Committee - has called for the case against Inaki de Juana Chaos to be dropped. The Spanish prosecution service want to see Inaki de Juana Chaos returned to Spain to face charges, as they said the 53-year-old has praised or supported terrorism in a letter read at a rally.
Belfast Backs Basque
Supporters of a Basque man living in Belfast - the Belfast Basque Solidarity Committee - has called for the case against Inaki de Juana Chaos to be dropped. The Spanish prosecution service want to see Inaki de Juana Chaos returned to Spain to face charges, as they said the 53-year-old has praised or supported terrorism in a letter read at a rally.
30 April 2010
Basque Flees NI As Extradition Looms
A Basque separatist convicted of 25 murders is believed to have left Northern Ireland. Jose Ignacio de Juana Chaos, 54, is wanted in Spain to face a charge of glorifying terrorism. De Juana Chaos, who had been living in west Belfast, was out on bail ahead of an appeal against his extradition.
Basque Flees NI As Extradition Looms
A Basque separatist convicted of 25 murders is believed to have left Northern Ireland. Jose Ignacio de Juana Chaos, 54, is wanted in Spain to face a charge of glorifying terrorism. De Juana Chaos, who had been living in west Belfast, was out on bail ahead of an appeal against his extradition.
01 March 2010
Spanish Man Is To Be Extradited
A Belfast judge has said he places his trust in the judicial procedures of Spain and has therefore turned down an attempt to stall a pending extradition from NI.
Spanish Man Is To Be Extradited
A Belfast judge has said he places his trust in the judicial procedures of Spain and has therefore turned down an attempt to stall a pending extradition from NI.
22 April 2009
Suspected ETA Sympathizer Bailed In Belfast Court
An ex member of a youth group supposedly linked to Spanish terrorist organisation, ETA, is to fight extradition from Northern Ireland. The National Court of Spain had demanded the return of Arturo Villanueva Arteaga, 32. He was arrested early this morning in west Belfast by the PSNI.
Suspected ETA Sympathizer Bailed In Belfast Court
An ex member of a youth group supposedly linked to Spanish terrorist organisation, ETA, is to fight extradition from Northern Ireland. The National Court of Spain had demanded the return of Arturo Villanueva Arteaga, 32. He was arrested early this morning in west Belfast by the PSNI.
17 November 2008
ETA Member To Fight Extradition
A convicted member of the Basque Separatist group ETA is to fight extradition proceedings for his return to Spain. Inaki de Juana Chaos, who was believed to have been living at a Dublin address after his recent release from a Spanish prison, surrendered for arrest in Belfast where he is facing extradition to Spain to face terrorist related charges.
ETA Member To Fight Extradition
A convicted member of the Basque Separatist group ETA is to fight extradition proceedings for his return to Spain. Inaki de Juana Chaos, who was believed to have been living at a Dublin address after his recent release from a Spanish prison, surrendered for arrest in Belfast where he is facing extradition to Spain to face terrorist related charges.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
