13 members of Basque parties D3M and Askatasuna, banned Feb for “ETA links”, prosecuted for belonging to ETA 7 Sept.

French police conducted series of raids starting 19 Aug, resulting in arrest of 3 suspected ETA members and discovery of several weapons caches. Suspected ETA member wanted for role in 1980s police murders arrested 6 Aug at Madrid airport after being deported from Mexico. Authorities banned planned mid-month protest marches by groups linked to ETA.

2 police killed by bomb on Majorca 30 July; police deactivated second bomb found nearby, closed ports and airports to prevent bombers’ escape. Attack came day after 60 people injured by bomb explosion outside police barracks in Burgos, north; both attacks blamed on ETA. ETA blamed for 10 July bomb attack on Socialist party office in Basque region. Supreme Court 24 July dissolved ANV political party due to links with ETA. 31 July marked 50th anniversary of ETA foundation. 4 suspected ETA members arrested in France over month.

Policeman killed in suspected ETA car bomb attack near Bilbao 19 June. 2 suspected ETA members arrested in Usurbil 23 June; 2 arrested in Paris 25 June; 10 detained in SW France 29 June.

1st non-nationalist govt in 3 decades appointed by Basque parliament 5 May by 39 votes to 35, following March election. New Socialist President Patxi Lopez pledged to fight ETA, unite Basque society. Supreme Court 16 May banned Internationalist Initiative-Solidarity among the People (II-SP) party from taking part in European Parliament elections over links with violent separatism; ruling reversed by Constitutional Court 22 May due to insufficient evidence. ETA 20 May blamed Spain and France for 18 Apr disappearance of member in France, said could launch attacks in France. Suspected ETA terrorist Iker Esparza arrested in Paris 25 May.

Socialist Party (PSE) 1 May signed informal coalition deal with opposition Popular Party (PP), consolidating creation of 1st non-nationalist govt in 3 decades after March elections; Socialist leader Patxi Lopez to be sworn-in as PM shortly. Suspected ETA military leader Jordan Martitegi arrested 18 Apr in France with 2 other ETA suspects: 3rd leader detained in 5 months. Sweep coincided with Spanish police operation apprehending 6. ETA 12 Apr announced it would target new regional government. Spanish national arrested 22 Apr in Northern Ireland, suspected of ETA links.

1 March regional poll produced 1st non-nationalist Basque govt since 1980. Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) won 30 seats, Basque Socialist Party (PSE) 25, People’s Party (PP) 13. Power-sharing deal between PSE and conservative PP agreed 30 March. PSE leader Patxi Lopex to be regional head. 2 suspected ETA members arrested 5 March for Dec killing of businessman involved in Basque- Madrid rail link; 44 charged 23 March with ETA membership; 8 arrested 31 March for ETA-linked violence. Suspected ETA bomb attack 26 March on house in Amorebieta – no injuries.

9 Feb ETA bomb blast thought to have targeted Ferrovial, construction firm building Madrid- Basque rail link opposed by ETA. No casualties in what was 1st ETA Madrid attack since Dec 2006. Small explosion 23 Feb outside ruling Socialist Party local HQ in Lazkao, following ETA phone warning, also caused no injuries. Supreme Court 8 Feb banned Askatasuna and Democracy 3 Million (D3M) parties from participating in 1 March regional elections due to “ETA links”; 14 Feb protests in Bilbao in response to ruling saw 5 arrests. ETA 27 Feb called elections “anti-democratic”, urged supporters to return blank ballots. ETA suspect arrested 1 March in Billabonna prior to regional poll, believed to be planning imminent bomb attack.

Trial of Basque Nationalist leader Juan Jose Ibarretxe thrown out 12 Jan after prosecution admitted his contacts with banned ETA-linked Batasuna party not illegal. ETA explosion 16 Jan targeted TV transmitter near Hernani; no injuries. French police 12 Jan arrested 2 ETA suspects in Ascain and Bayonne, SW France. ETA statement 21 Jan claimed responsibility for Dec killing of Spanish businessman; warned workers on planned Basque-Madrid high-speed rail link would be targeted.