Pro-Eta party faces ban for alleged links to terrorism

The pro-Eta Batasuna party is facing closure and a criminal investigation into its supposed links with armed separatists.

The investigating judge, Baltasar Garzon, has told Batasuna's lawyer that, after endorsement of his request by the state prosecutor, he will suspend the party on Monday and open an investigation.

The judge's actions, based on existing laws, form part of a twin-track offensive that includes government plans to ban the party. MPs meet on Monday in emergency parliamentary session to approve the ban, which must then be sent to the Supreme Court.

The prosecutor's office said in its report yesterday that suspension – which could silence Batasuna for five years – was "essential to prevent more terror attacks". The report said there were "sufficient indications" of Batasuna's "subjugation to the Eta terrorist organisation". Indications included documents, clandestine meetings, and money-raising operations said to fund terror attacks. The report was based on years of investigation by Judge Garzon.

Critics accuse Judge Garzon of engaging in a headline-seeking race with the conservative government to see who can annihilate Batasuna first. But the judge says all measures, juridical and political, are valid.

Basque politicians and churchmen warn of worsening conflict should Batasuna be banned. Some 5,000 supporters of the party marched through Bilbao yesterday.

In a sign of mounting tension in the Basque country, the region's police force has urged all its officers to stiffen security precautions in the expectation that they could be Eta targets.