Maite Araluce, the president of the Association of Victims of Terrorism (AVT), accused the PSOE of reviving the political project of ETA on the anniversary of the definitive cessation of its armed activity. He did this at the end of the seminar ‘Lessons from the defeat of ETA’ in the Senate, where he regretted that nowadays there is little talk about the defeat of the terrorist group, because, in his opinion, its political project. “more alive than ever.”
He blamed the socialists for recognizing Bildu as a “valid political agent” and co-management. He also warned of the high possibility that Arnaldo Otegi, general coordinator of Bildu, will become the next Lehendakari. He strongly criticized the current political situation, saying that not only the negotiations are taking place with terrorists, but also managing with them.
The president of AVT stressed that not only did Otegi continue without condemning the actions of ETA, but that, according to what can be seen, he himself would participate in many attacks that so far remain unexplained. Araluce expressed concern over the fact that the alleged crimes committed by the general coordinator of Bildu have ended, making it difficult for the victims and their families to seek justice.
He also pointed out that the current Government has given in to the historic demands of ETA, such as the repeal of the dispersion policy and the transfer of penitentiary powers to the Basque Government. He fears the repeal of key laws, such as the 2003 Penal Code, which means full execution of sentences and prevents ETA prisoners from discounting sentences served in France. This, for Araluce, will allow “prisons to be gradually emptied” and show that the terrorist group can achieve “without killing what it did not achieve by killing.”
The president of AVT assured that his association is against political decisions that harm the victims of terrorism, regardless of the color of the Government.
Finally, he criticized the PSOE candidate for “giving Bildu” the photo that “he does not want to give it in 2019” in reference to the meeting he held last week with the spokespersons of the Basque party in Congress and the Senate.
