Outlawed Batasuna leader facing charges of praising terrorism
Basque leftwing nationalist leader Arnaldo Otegi is in court on Monday to face trial on charges of praising terrorism, just three days after he was released on bail in a separate case.
Otegi arrived at the court shortly after 9 a.m. (0700 GMT), accompanied by his lawyers. The trial began an hour later. The trial is expected to finish within days but a sentence may take several weeks.
Otegi, head of the Batasuna party, which is outlawed for its links to the armed group ETA, is seen as a possible key figure in any peace process following ETA's cease-fire announcement.
Night of All Nations has grown exponentially over its 23 years. In the last two years it has grown from an attendance of approximately 1500 people representing 35 countries and 12 performances to an attendance of 2200 people, representing 52 countries, and 17 performances. "There will be dances, musical performances, songs, parade, etc., showcasing rich diversity of the world," according to Navgeet Zed, president of International Club.
This year's Basque booth manned by Zuriñe Velez de Mendizabal, Pedro Oiarzabal, Monika Poza and Alvaro Llosa will offer information on Basque culture and local organizations while offering samples of Basque food. Authentic food from various countries will be included in the $2/$3 (students/others) entry, and art pieces from various parts of the world will also be available for sale. About half-a-dozen local bands will also participate in the event to be held from 6-11pm.
The centre-right Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) president, Josu Jon Imaz, has affirmed that "at the moment the priority is to consolidate the peace process," while he has defended the "validity" of the document his party wrote six months ago "to face the dialogued end of violence and political normalisation."
In a press conference accompanied by the PNV president in Navarre, José Angel Agirrebengoa, Imaz has reminded the main points gathered in that document, a document he has described as "the waybill for a peace process that will be complex."
Basque golfer Jose Maria Olazabal leads the latest European Cup world points standings issued on Monday after the U.S. Masters, which sets him on the way of qualifying for the Ryder Cup.
The 40-year-old Basque, champion of the U.S. Masters in 1994 and 1999 shot the best round of the week, a six under par 66, for a four round total of 284, four under par and the clubhouse lead to finish third.
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