SPAIN SATISFIED: French justice authorises extradition of former ETA chief Josu Ternera to Spain

THE Court of Appeal in Paris ruled yesterday (Wednesday) in favour of handing over to Spain the former head of ETA, José Antonio Urrutikoetxea, alias Josu Ternera, for the 1987 attack on the Zaragoza barracks that left 11 dead and more than 80 wounded.

Despite the ruling, the decision does not imply that the extradition process will be set in motion, as the defence can appeal to the French Supreme Court.

Ternera’s lawyer Laure Heinich, has confirmed to media outlets that the decision will be appealed by Josu Ternera before the French Supreme Court.

At the same time, the court asked the Spanish justice for details of the three other requests for surrender issued by Spain: one for extradition and two Euro-orders.

The two Euro orders issued by the Audiencia Nacional de Madrid are to try him, respectively, for crimes against humanity – as a key member of ETA he perpetrated the attacks between 2004 and 2007 – and for financing the group through the “herriko” taverns.

The request for extradition (which is not a European arrest warrant since it was issued before the entry into force of this instrument of judicial cooperation) refers to the 1980 murder of Luis Hergueta, a Michelin director in Vitoria.

For Josu Ternera’s lawyer, this request for clarification is a sign of the alleged opacity with which the Spanish justice system is treating her client, whom she described as the “negotiator” of the Basque conflict.

The 69-year-old ETA leader was arrested on 16 May after almost 17 years in hiding in Sallanches, in the French Alps, and has since been imprisoned in Paris.