Director of of ex-prisoners’ support group Coiste na n-larchimi, Michael Culbert, has spoken out this week in support of Basque ex-prisoner Iñaki de Juana, who is fighting extradition to Spain.
Culbert said: “As an ex-prisoner and speaking on behalf of ex-prisoners in Belfast, we want to say that what is happening to Iñaki de Juana is absolutely abominable.
“We’re talking about a man facing jail, and possibly death, because somebody allegedly read a letter that said ‘On with the ball’.
“This is a political case – not a legal case. If it was a legal issue the Spanish authorities would have produced some evidence that Iñaki had committed an offence, but they can’t.
“I don’t know which is worse – the Spanish or British judicial systems – but I have to say the decision by a Belfast court to extradite him is appalling.
“Iñaki is a strong supporter of the Basque peace process, and of the Irish peace process. He moved to Ireland to begin a new way of life with his wife and he is entitled to do so.
“The people of west Belfast are very politically mature because of our own experiences of the repression of our basic rights, and I believe this community can see very clearly the political machinations behind this case.
“We believe that if the extradition proceeds there is no doubt Iñaki will be returned to jail – that is the Spanish government’s goal. I’d encourage everyone in west Belfast, and indeed everyone in Ireland, to get behind Iñaki as he appeals against this decision.”
