Basque Suspects Were Tortured

- Rapport -

The Conviction of several Spanish police officers for the torture of ETA suspects detained after the Madrid Airport bombings in 2008 undermines the veracity of subsequent proceedings which resulted in

Cathal Ó Luain Par Celtic League le 8/01/11 8:34

The conviction of the policemen also indicates that concerns about torture in Spanish police stations and prisons voiced over several years by the United Nations and other rights groups are still valid today.

(In March the Celtic League cited the potential for ill-treatment faced by a Basque detainee whose extradition from the UK was sought – see link):

(voir le site)

The two Basques Mattin Sarasola and Igor Portu were beaten, kicked and threatened with death by drowning. Igor Portu was so badly injured he was hospitalised for several days.

Originally fifteen officers were put on trial and four were convicted.

The police officers were sentenced to up to four and half years in prison a sentence which hardly sends a signal to others within the Spanish police that such behaviour is unacceptable. The verdict also calls into question the efficacy of those at senior levels in the Spanish police service.

In addition the verdict reinforces concerns about torture within Spain's police and prison system and the case also illustrates the danger of countries returning suspects detained outside Spain to that jurisdiction.

In recent years detainees in both the UK and France have cited concerns about possible torture if returned to Spain to face charges. This case shows that such concerns are well founded.

The Celtic League will be writing to governments that have been (or in the future are) involved in extradition proceedings involving Basques being returned to Spain citing this case as an example of the propensity for torture and ill treatment within the Spanish justice system.

Related link here to item on this story on BBC World News:

(voir le site)

J B Moffatt (Mr)

Director of Information

Celtic League

03/01/11

Voir aussi :

Langues régionales au brevet : 18 parlementaires bretons et basques interpellent la Ministre par Le blog de paul Molac le 05/04/2024
Près de 10 000 Basques ont manifesté à Paris pour le rapprochement des prisonniers politiques par La rédaction le 10/12/2017
70 000 Basques manifestent contre la politique répressive de Madrid en Catalogne par La rédaction le 05/11/2017
Cinq militants basques arrêtés : processus de désarmement de l'ETA en marche ? par Kerne Multimédia le 19/12/2016
Alsaciens, Basques, Catalans, Corses : tous à Nantes avec les Bretons le 24 septembre ! par Bretagne Réunie le 23/09/2016
Collectif occitans, basques et catalans pour une Europe des peuples par Parti de la Nation Occitane le 09/04/2014
150.000 Basques dans la rue et nous ? par Gwened / Vannes 2014 le 14/01/2014
Le Parti Breton participera à l'Alderdi Eguna à Foronda Pays Basques le dimanche 29 septembre par Parti Breton - Strollad Breizh le 26/09/2013
Les Basques racontent leur histoire en dessins animés par Fanny Chauffin le 24/08/2012
Le changement c’est maintenant sauf pour les Basques par Louis-Benoît Greffe le 30/05/2012

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues. TEL (UK) 01624 877918 MOBILE (UK)07624 491609 (voir le site)

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