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![]() Saturday, September 12, 1998 Published at 09:25 GMT 10:25 UK ![]() ![]() World: Europe ![]() Former Spanish ministers jailed for 'terrorism' ![]() Former Spanish PM Felipe Gonzalez hugs Rafael Vera at the prison gates ![]() Two former Spanish government ministers have begun ten-year prison sentences for their part in illegal operations against the Basque separatist movement, ETA. The two men, Jose Barrionuevo and Rafael Vera, were convicted in July of involvement in the kidnapping of a Basque businessman. They were denied bail earlier this week pending an appeal.
Among them was the former Socialist prime minister, Felipe Gonzalez, who is a lawyer and who will represent them at their appeal. The covert anti-separatist organisation known as Gal is said to have assassinated 28 people they suspected of being ETA members between 1983 and 1987. It was later discovered that at least a third of them had no connection to the armed group. Leading socialists linked to violence Gal's alleged high-ranking connections came to light after statements made by members of the Spanish security services and a determined investigation by journalists. It was discovered that leading members of the then-socialist government knew about, funded and, it is alleged, organised what amounted to state terrorism. Mr Barrionuevo, the highest-ranking official on trial for Gal connections, has always denied the charges. ![]() |
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