De Brún welcomes Belfast court ruling on Basque extradition case
Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has welcomed today’s ruling by a Belfast court
not to extradite one of the Basques, Arturo Villanueva, who the Spanish
authorities were pursuing and has said that the extradition warrant against
Inaki de Juana should also be rejected.
Speaking today Ms de Brún said:
“Today’s decision, ruling that the International Arrest Warrant issued against
Arturo Villanueva is invalid, is to be welcomed and highlights the spurious and
politically motivated nature of the charges brought against both Arturo
Villaneuva and Inaki de Juana by the Spanish authorities.
“The two men are essentially being pursued solely for their political ideas and
the extradition attempts on behalf of the Spanish authorities, in both cases,
should be wholly rejected.
“It further exposes the ongoing repression within the Basque Country where social,
youth, media and political groups alike are made illegal and repressed with many
members being imprisoned.
“ It is Sinn Féin’s belief that the Spanish government should desist from such
actions and focus upon exploring the unconditional declaration of support for a
peaceful, political and democratic process by the Basque Abertzale Left
grouping this week.“