Oleaga is Free

Today at Berria:

Oleaga free after eight and a half months behind bars

Judge Del Olmo also ordered Xabier Alegria’s release on bail, but the latter will have to remain in custody in connection with the ‘Udalbiltza’ case; Inaki Uria will also have to stay in prison as the judge has taken no decision with respect to him

Imanol Murua Uria – DONOSTIA (San Sebastian)

After being behind bars for eight and a half months in connection with the Egunkaria case Xabier Oleaga was released from prison last night after posting bail of 30,000 euros. Juan Del Olmo, the Spanish National High Court Judge, also ordered the release of Xabier Alegria on bail of 50,000 euros, but the latter will have to remain in the prison of Soto del Real [near Madrid], because he is in unconditional custody in connection with the Udalbiltza case. Judge Del Olmo did not announce any decision regarding Inaki Uria, so the unconditional custody of Egunkaria’s Managing Director in the prison of Aranjuez will remain unchanged for the time being.

According to the writ issued yesterday, the Public Prosecutor had requested the release of Oleaga and Alegria on bail arguing that the “change in the personal situation of these two among the three accused” will not impede the case proceedings. The writ made no mention of Uria’s situation.

Oleaga, Alegria and Uria were arrested by the Spanish Civil Guard in the police operation to close down Egunkaria on February 20 along with another seven people, who were later released on bail. Like Martxelo Otamendi [Egunkaria’s Chief Editor], the three reported that they had been tortured during the five days held incommunicado in the hands of the Spanish Civil Guard and were later taken to the prison of Soto del Real. Alegria is still there, Uria was taken to Aranjuez [Madrid] and Oleaga was in the prison of Navalcarnero, [Madrid], until last night. Xabier Oleaga is from Errenteria (Gipuzkoa) and worked for Egunkaria from 1994 to 1996 as Deputy Chairman of the Board. From 1997 onwards he worked for the “Partaide” association of Ikastolas [Basque-medium schools].

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