Wave of arrests follows ETA ceasefire statement

A mother shouts her support to her son as he is taken away

THE ARREST of a dozen people in a series of raids by Spanish police of Basque activists on January 18th has been criticised by one of the Sinn Féin team at the heart of Ireland’s engagement with the Basque peace process:
“The arrests last night of members of Basque civic groups Askatasuna and Ekin is not conducive to the search for a political solution,” Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey said.
Maskey said the ETA statement was a courageous step in the search for a just and democratic solution to the centuries-old conflict.
Sinn Féin has urged the Spanish Government to grasp this opportunity for peace, he said.
“However, the Spanish state appears determined to continue to pursue a so-called security agenda.
“This is not the way to advance a peace process.
“The Spanish Government must play its part and build confidence in the process.”