|
|
The funeral service of Miguel Angel Blanco
|
Outrage at ETA Killing
Thousands of people have been mourning the death of the Spanish Town Councillor Miguel Angel Blanco. He was murdered by the Basque Seperatist group ETA. His funeral has been held at his home town of Ermua. It was attended by both the former, and present Prime Ministers, the heir to the Spanish Throne, and a host of high ranking political figures.
Nationwide, people observed a ten minute silence - the requiem mass was broadcast live across the country.
Political leaders in north-west Spain say the killing of Miguel Angel Blanco, 29, has left ETA more isolated than ever.
|
|
Miguel Blanco: murdered
|
Thousands of people attended rallies in the Basque regional capitals - Bilbao, San Sebastian and Vitoria.
Workers across the country have been asked to stop work during Monday's funeral In Madrid a demonstration led by the Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar, is planned. He had led a march on Saturday to demand the councillor's release.
The radical separatist organisation kidnapped Mr Blanco on Thursday. He was shot after the the Spanish government refused to comply with a demand to transfer ETA prisoners to jails in the Basque region within 48 hours.
|
|
Police restrain protestors
|
| |
The death of Mr Blanco, a member of Spain's ruling Popular Party, sparked a violent backlash against ETA with angry and emotional protests in many parts of Spain, and brought international condemnation.
One of the most serious disturbances was in the northern city of Pamplona, where the local authorities suspended the annual running of the bulls festival as a mark of respect.
There were fierce clashes between supporters and opponents of ETA and protestors set fire to premises belonging to the movement's political wing, Herri Batasuna. Police fired rubber bullets to break up the clashes.
In a strongly worded statement, the President of the Basque region condemned ETA's actions and its
political wing, Herri Batasuna, but appealed for calm and dignity in what he called these difficult moments.
ETA, an acronym in the Basque language, Euskara, for Basque Homeland and Freedom, has killed more than 800 people since it began its fight more than 30 years ago for an independent Basque state encompassing parts of southern France and northern Spain.
|
