Politics

The Hospital of Donostia-San Sebastian has informed the Spanish penintenciary authority that tests carried out on cancer sufferer Iosu Uribetxeberria show that the ETA prisoner’s condition is now “irreversible”.

Uribetxeberria, who was sentenced to prison after his part in the kidnapping of prison officer José Antonio Ortega Lara, is suffering from cancer of the kidney. He has been on hunger strike for the past nine days in a bid for forces authorities to grant him a release.

Attorney requests further information

The Public Prosecutor at the High Court has requested a forensic report into the prisoner’s state of health in order to determine whether the cancer can be “adequately” treated by prison medical services.

The Public Attorney also wants to know how Uribetxebarria’s illness is likely to evolve; the patient’s prognosis in terms of medical cost and the correct time-frame and place for his treatment.

Ares criticises point-scoring

Basque Interior Minister and Government Co-ordinator Rodolfo Ares hit out at attempts by the Basque leftwing to score points with the Uribetxebarria case. Speaking on Thursday he said there was a possibility the ETA prisoner would be released.

In total, 541 ETA prisoners serving sentences in 64 different prisons across Spain and France are taking part in various acts of protest. Most have joined the hunger strike to condemn Iosu Uribetxebarria’s situation and demand that he be allowed to go home to his family.