News, December 03

Top ETA leaders arrested

9 December. Early this morning Gorka Palacios, considered ETA's nº 1 and three others were arrested in Pau, southern France, just days after another top leader, Ibón Fernández, alias 'Susper' was arrested with two others in Mont de Marsan.

Susper was considered the leader of the active terror squads and had in his possession not only arms, but also detailed instructions for the murder of two policemen and two basque politicians.

Gorka Palacios, also one of the most wanted men, being accused of involvement in numerous murders and other attacks, was integrated into the leadership in September and responsible for training as well as being denominated head of commandos.

Juan Luís Rubenach, arrested with Palacios, is considered head of logistical operations. He was involved in many of the commandos in the Basque regions and Madrid, whence he just escaped arrest in November 2002 when the commando was caught after a bomb attack due to a citizen spotting the getaway car and following at a judicial distance while contacting police on his cell phone.