ETA Terrorist applies for UK legal aid

 

In a bizarre perversion of justice, the UK's Daily Mail has reported how the Spaniard arrested in Cambridge, can apply for legal aid from the UK to aid his defence.

Eneko Gogeaskoetxea Arronategui, who had been living in Cambridge as Cyril Macq, has been accused of plotting a number of terrorist attack on building throughout Spain, one of which included Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum, and was intended to coincide with a Royal Visit. As such the would-be bomber, who has close links to ETA, has also been accused of attempting to murder the King.

However, because ETA was not officially recognised as being a terrorist organisation in the UK at the time of the alleged offences - 1997 - the accused terrorist is eligible to apply for legal aid.

Appearing by video link from Belmarsh prison, where he is on remand, Arronategui spoke at his court hearing in Westminster only to deny consent for extradition to Spain and ask the court for time to speak to his lawyers.

Defence barrister Mark Sumers said at the time of the offences the ETA was not classified as a terrorist organisation and he was allowed to apply for legal aid, commenting "There is a legal issue in that ETA was not classified as a terrorist organisation in this country when the offences were alleged to have taken place."