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Legal disputes escalate over Basque prison status changes

Updated 5 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-05 18:16 UTC → 2026-10-14 12:19 UTC · added removed

Legal disputes escalate over Basque Government prison status changes for former ETA-ers

The Basque Government has granted semi-liberty continues to grant prison status changes to several former ETA leaders. In early September members, a trend that has intensified legal and social friction. On October 5, 2026, the Department of Justice authorized Soledad Iparragirre, known as ‘Anboto’, government granted semi-liberty to participate Juan Carlos Besance Zugasti, a former ETA member involved in regulated volunteer activities. Under this regime, she is permitted to leave Martutene Prison from Monday to Friday but must return to the facility each night and remain there during weekends. 2001 murder of José Javier Múgica, allowing him daily leaves from Basauri prison. This follows a previous attempt in March that move was rejected criticized by the National Court. Shortly after, the Basque Government granted the third degree Collective of prison status to Henri Parot. Based on Victims of Terrorism (Covite) as a report from the Zubieta prison treatment board, this allows Parot “hidden amnesty.” Legal challenges to live in a semi-liberty regime where he may leave during these decisions have also progressed. The National Court Prosecutor appealed the day but must return third-degree status previously granted to sleep in prison. Parot, who Idoia Mendizabal Mujika; the appeal, filed on October 1, has been imprisoned since 1990 and is serving a sentence related to activities involving 39 deaths, stated in a letter a desire suspensive effect that reverted her to “recognize second-degree status at Zubieta prison. In response, the suffering caused and try, as much prisoner support network Sare characterized the appeal as possible, to repair it,” while expressing a rejection of “all violence.” On September 23, 2026, “vengeance” rather than justice. In mid-October, the Basque Government extended re-approved the transition to third-degree status to Idoia Mendizabal Mujika, a for former member of the ETA ‘Olaia command’ currently held at Zubieta prison. Mendizabal, who was previously sentenced to 377 years for a 2002 bombing attempt against the deputy mayor of Barakaldo, was granted the status military leader José Antonio Olarra Guridi, following a proposal from previous revocation by the prison treatment board. National Court in July. The Department of Justice stated the cited recommendations from Zubieta prison professionals regarding his social reintegration. This latest decision follows a “strict compliance with legality.” The progressive granting of benefits has sparked intense criticism. Detractors argue these moves constitute a form of “covert amnesty” and prompted COVITE to denounce a political concession. Critics further claim new policy where the moves represent a betrayal of terrorism victims and a failure Basque Government no longer communicates penitentiary resolutions regarding ETA prisoners to victims' associations. COVITE described this lack of transparency as an ‘frontal attack’ on the rule of law. The Prosecutor's Office is currently reviewing right to justice, arguing that the decisions for potential appeals. government is failing its duty to inform associations under Law 4/2015.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-14 12:19 UTC Legal disputes escalate over Basque prison status changes
  2. 2026-10-05 18:16 UTC Basque Government prison status changes for former ETA-ers
  3. 2026-09-25 10:29 UTC Basque Government prison status changes for former ETA-ers
  4. 2026-09-23 18:57 UTC Basque Government prison status changes for former ETA-ers
  5. 2026-09-12 13:29 UTC Basque Government prison status changes for former ETA-ers
  6. 2026-09-09 12:25 UTC Basque Government prison status changes for former ETA-ers

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