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File photo of Urruticoetxea Bengoetxea. PA Images

Former leader of Basque separatist group ETA arrested after 16 years on the run

ETA disbanded in 2018.

A FORMER LEADER of the Basque separatist group ETA has been arrested in France after more than 16 years on the run.

Jose Antonio Urrutikoetxea Bengoetxea, better known as Josu Ternera and who was once ETA’s political chief, was detained “in the early hours of the morning today in Sallanches in the French Alps,” Spain’s interior ministry said.

ETA killed more than 800 people in more than four decades of violence for an independent Basque state.

Spanish authorities have been trying to track Ternera down since 2002, linking him to an attack on a police barracks in the northern city of Zaragoza in 1987 which left 11 people dead, including children.

Hugely influential within the group, Ternera, who is believed to be seriously ill, recorded the “final declaration” announcing the separatist group had completely dissolved in May 2018.

Before that, he had taken part in negotiations with Spain’s Socialist government and was shunted aside in 2006 after the talks failed as more hardline elements took control.

More details as we get them.

© – AFP 2019

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    Mute sean de paore
    Favourite sean de paore
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    Jan 21st 2015, 4:45 PM

    Awful sad news . The Ryan’s are an excellent hurling family in Clara. People will remember this man’s son Lester receiving the McCarthy cup and giving an excellent speech, all in Irish language, only a few months ago. At dheis De go raibh a ainm.

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    Mute Emma's Wooden House
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    Jan 21st 2015, 3:40 PM

    Tragic, these stories are too common. RIP.

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    Mute Josephine Carroll
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    Jan 21st 2015, 4:12 PM

    Rest in peace….condolences to his family.

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    Mute gerry campbell
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    Jan 21st 2015, 4:19 PM

    Very sad, may he rest in peace.

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    Mute Cormac Harte
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    Jan 21st 2015, 4:42 PM

    Can’t understand the red thumbs on some of these comments! RIP

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    Mute John S
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    Jan 21st 2015, 5:08 PM

    I think it might be how people interpret comments. For example, is it really appropriate to green thumb a comment saying “An awful tragedy”? If anything, we shouldn’t be allowed to comment on these sort of stories.

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    Mute Walter Heisenberg
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    Jan 21st 2015, 8:35 PM

    You get pr#%ks who like to go against people views no matter the circumstances… R.I.P.

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    Mute Demelza Cullen
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    Jan 21st 2015, 4:44 PM

    Rip. Condolences to the ryan family. Dreadful tragedy

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    Mute Mick O' Connor
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    Jan 21st 2015, 7:11 PM

    RIP

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    Mute Tom Fennelly
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    Jan 21st 2015, 8:49 PM

    So, so sorry to hear about this today. My condolences to Lester and all the Ryan family.

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    Mute Fergal
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    Jan 21st 2015, 4:32 PM

    Terrible stuff. Should always be 2 people working together in that type of situation. I realise it’s not always possible to hire people if they can’t afford it. #RIP

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    Mute Maggie
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    Jan 21st 2015, 4:38 PM

    When do farmers ever have two driving a tractor?

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    Mute Fergal
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    Jan 21st 2015, 4:45 PM

    Don’t be silly Maggie. On most farms (that can afford it) there’s always 2 people together, especially around dangerous equipment. I think it might even be law.

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    Mute Paddy
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    Jan 21st 2015, 6:55 PM

    It’s not the time for a debate but you’re wrong on this one Fergal. Slurry spreading is usually a one man per tractor job. If you’ve your own equipment to do the job you’d usually just do it on your own. RIP to the man.

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    Mute Brian Fitzmaurice
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    Jan 21st 2015, 10:19 PM

    RIP, Dreadfully for the family to lose a loved one in such circumstances. Safety in industrial operations has improved over the years but safety on farming has not kept pace. There is an urgent need for compulsory education around safety on the farm.

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    Mute Melanie Gibney
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    Jan 21st 2015, 11:39 PM

    RIP to the man and I hope his family find peace.

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    Mute The Wine Baron
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    Jan 22nd 2015, 12:18 AM

    Shockin

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    Mute Kim deegan
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    Jan 21st 2015, 7:52 PM

    Red thumbs people with fuc* all else to do only thrive on other people’s misery…would piss u off..

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