(RSF/IFEX) – According to information made available by RSF on 21 July 1998, on 15 July 1998, the pro-Basque independence daily “Egin” and its radio station, Egin-Irratia were temporarily suspended, by order of Judge Baltasar Garzon, in the scope of an operation to dismantle the financial base of the Basque separatist organisation, ETA. The head […]
(RSF/IFEX) – According to information made available by RSF on 21 July 1998,
on 15 July 1998, the pro-Basque independence daily “Egin” and its radio
station, Egin-Irratia were temporarily suspended, by order of Judge Baltasar
Garzon, in the scope of an operation to dismantle the financial base of the
Basque separatist organisation, ETA. The head office of “Egin” and
Egin-Irratia in Hernani (northwestern Spain) and the newspaper’s local
editorial offices in Pamplona and Bilbao were searched. Several members of
the board of directors of the press group Orain, publisher of the newspaper,
were also arrested.
**This alert contains information further to IFEX alert of 20 July 1998**
The decision to close the two media outlets was made because members of the
board of directors of the press group Orain are allegedly part of a
terrorist organisation.
RSF is concerned about the suspension of “Egin” and radio Egin-Irratia.
According to RSF, the closure of a media outlet on the simple decision of a
magistrate is against the principle of freedom of the press.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
facilitated, asking that the newspaper be allowed to publish while waiting
for the case to come before a court of competent jurisdiction
Appeals To
Mrs. Margarita Mariscal de Gante y Miron
Minister of Justice
Madrid
Fax: +34 1 390 22 77
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
