The Correctional Court of Paris has acquitted this Wednesday to the historic Etarra Father José Antonio Urrutikoetxea, Josu Ternera, from the position of belonging to the band ETA between 2011 and mid-2013.
In his decision, the three judges who composed the Chamber consider that there are no “no material or intentional” elements that demonstrate that in that urrutikoetxea period belonged to the terrorist band.
Although he himself has recognized that he lived in underground between 2002 and his arrest in May 2019, the magistrates remember that there were no weapons or false documents or evidence that he maintained contacts with other members of the band in the period of
The inculpation.
And about his presence in Norway between the end of 2011 and early 2013 together with the Etarras David Pla and Iratxe Sorzábal to try to negotiate with the Spanish Government, who did not want to come, it is an issue that is left out of court competence.
Moreover, magistrates insist that having been involved in attempts for the end of ETA’s violent action – as Urrutikoethxea himself assured in the trial held in June – can not lead to a conviction for terrorism.
Josu Veal, who is on probation since the end of July 2020, has a pending another trial in France for its alleged belonging to ETA between 2002 and 2005.
The Prosecutor’s Office, which can theoretically resort, in the process held last June had requested a five-year penalty of prison against Josu Veal with the argument that it was still part of the terrorist organization, not only during the period of accusation,
Between 2011 and mid-2013, until he himself was responsible for announcing the dissolution of the band in May 2018.
Urrutikoetxea (70 years), however, assured that, although he was living in underground, he had left ETA in September 2006 because he considered that the armed struggle had to be abandoned.
According to its version, that same opposition to the use of violence is the one that explains that it was in Norway with Sorzábal and Pla.
