Spain's Audiencia Nacional revokes semi‑liberty for two ETA prisoners

The Audiencia Nacional’s prison‑surveillance court, presided over by judge José Luis Castro, overturned the third‑degree semi‑liberty ("tercer grado") previously granted by the Basque regional government to two convicted ETA members. The revocation applies to Juan Antonio Olarra Guridi, serving a cumulative 30‑year sentence, and Oskar Celarain, whose convictions total more than 964 years. Both judges concluded that the legal criteria for early release were not yet met, citing the need for a sustained period of verified positive behaviour in cases involving extreme terrorist violence and multiple victims. The court cited the prosecution’s objections and emphasized that the safeguards of article 100.2 of the penitentiary regulations require a longer verification of reintegration before granting such benefits.

The Basque government had authorized the semiliberty in May (Olarra) and June (Celarain), arguing compliance with penitentiary law, while the victims’ association Covite highlighted the severity of the crimes, including murders of military personnel, a six‑year‑old girl, and a retired civilian. The revocations postpone any licensing until at least 2032 for Celarain and 2036 for Olarra.