Radical Leaders Must Go Free, Court Rules

In a decision that could help move the Basque peace process forward, Spain’s highest court ruled that 22 leaders of a radical political party linked to the armed group ETA should be freed. The entire leadership of Herri Batasuna, a party considered ETA’s political wing, had been convicted in 1997 and sentenced to seven-year terms by the Supreme Court for collaboration with terrorism. The Constitutional Court decision overturned that verdict. ETA, which has killed nearly 800 people since 1968 in its effort to gain independence for the Basque region, declared a cease-fire in September. The anticipated release of the jailed politicians will remove one of the sticking points in peace talks.