Satoshi Noro

A hearing on the extradition case against Belfast-based Basque pro-independence activist Arturo ‘Beñat’ Villanueva was held at Belfast’s Laganside Courts on Wednesday 13 May.

Beñat was arrested on the 22nd of April by the PSNI at his home in west Belfast after a European arrest warrant had been issued against him by the Spanish National Court (Diplock Court).

The Basque activist has been charged with “membership of terrorist organization” because of his political work in the Basque pro-independence youth movement. The Basque youth organizations Jarrai, Haika and Segi were declared “terrorist” by the Spanish Supreme Court in 2007.

At the hearing Beñat’s solicitors raised concerns about the breach of the retrospectivity principle and also stated they believed they could prove there is a clear persecution of the defendant’s political ideas. Beñat has been acussed of being a member of the Basque pro-independence and socialist political organization Jarrai from 1994 to 2000 while the mentioned organization was declared illegal in 2005 and terrorist in 2007.

The 12th of June was set by the judge as the date to present a defence skeleton argument. Meanwhile Beñat will remain under the same bail conditions: curfew from 9pm to 7am and presenting himself every day at police barracks.

40 people held a picket outside the court buildings with a banner stating “Stop political Spanish political persecution against the Basque Country. Don’t extradite the Basques.”

A public meeting to launch the campaign against Benat and also Belfast-based Basque pro-independence activist Iñaki de Juana will be held on Thursday 14th of May at 6pm in An Chultúrlann, Falls Road, Belfast.