Spain Shuts Down Egunkaria

Here you have the information provided by Indymedia Euskal Herria regarding the most recent repressive measure taken by Madrid against the Basque people:

Euskaldunon Egunkaria, the only Basque language newspaper closed by the Spanish Government

Indymedia Euskal Herria , 20.02.2003 15:15

Following an order issued by Spanish Juan del Olmo, the chair person of the Basque daily newspaper Euskaldunon Egunkaria and the members of it's administration together with other people have been arrested. At this moment, the central offices in Andoain and the territorial delegations are been closed. 10 people have been arrested by the Guardia Civil under the accusation of supporting an armed group. Three years ago, a similar operation had taken place against the editorial producing basque language books called "Zabaltzen". Supreme court found that accusations by Judge Garzon were not enough to prove relationship with Armed group. The free expression is been jailed and the our right for "freedom of word and thought" is under trial. The only newspaper in basque language is about to be closed.

5 years after the closure of the Basque leftwing pro independence Egin newspaper, the Guardia Civil, following an order by Spanish judge Juan del Olmo from the National audience, has closed "Euskaldunon Egunkaria" the only daily newspaper issuing news in Basque language. 10 people were arrested, and their offices in Bilbao, Gasteiz-Vitoria, and Iruñea - Pamplona have been shut. Their central building, in the city of Andoain has also been shut down.

The houses of those arrested have also been registered by spanish police. The spanish police has also visited the Basque School federation office in Saint Sebastian, the magazines Jakin and Argia. These have not been shut.

Those arrested are, Xabier Oleaga, former worker for the newspaper, and at this moment in charge of the communication office for the basque schools' federation. The Guardia Civil has also visited his office. Martxelo Otamendi, director of the newspaper. Pello Zubiria, director of basque language political magazine "Argia" and first director of "Euskaldunon Egunkaria". Iñaki Uria, Councillor of the "Egunkaria". Joan Mari Torrealdai, director of the editorial, Xabier Alegria, Fermin Lazkano, Luis Goya, Txema Auzmendi, subirector of "Herri Irratia" radio station and finally Inma Gomila who is been arrested this morning in Oiartzun. This last arrest may be due to the fact that Inma Gomila had been working for the newspaper.

After these arrests perpetrated during the night, the Guardia Civil has proceed to the registry of the different buildings and offices of "Euskaldunon Egunkaria". In the central building, in the Martin Ugalde Park, is been under inspection for 6 hours with more than 300 members of the Guardia Civil.

They are accused of collaborating and forming part of an armed group with their three companies "Egunkaria S.A.", "Egunkaria Sortzen S.A." and "Egunkaria Sortzen S.L."

The workers of "Euskaldunon Egunkaria" have organised an assembly in front of the central offices in Andoain. After this assembly, the workers have confirmed their intention to issue a news print every day in basque language.

Their web page www.egunkaria.com has been also closed.

It is not the first time an organisation working for the promotion of basque culture. Three years ago the editorial "Zabaltzen" was shut down following an order by Judge Garzon, later, it was decided by the supreme court that this there was no relationship between Zabaltzen and any armed group.

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