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Spain holds youths over Eta links Spain holds youths over Eta links
(about 11 hours later)
At least 36 people have been arrested overnight in Spain as part of a police operation against a banned youth group linked to radical Basque separatism. Spanish authorities say 34 people have been arrested as part of a police operation against a banned youth group linked to radical Basque separatism.
Officers raided a number of properties in the Basque region and the neighbouring province of Navarra.Officers raided a number of properties in the Basque region and the neighbouring province of Navarra.
They were reportedly acting on documents seized earlier this year after the arrest of an alleged senior member of the militant group Eta.They were reportedly acting on documents seized earlier this year after the arrest of an alleged senior member of the militant group Eta.
Eta has waged a 41-year campaign for an independent Basque homeland.Eta has waged a 41-year campaign for an independent Basque homeland.
The group, which ended its most recent ceasefire in June 2007, is blamed for more than 820 deaths in that period. This year, the group has killed three Spanish police officers using car bombs.The group, which ended its most recent ceasefire in June 2007, is blamed for more than 820 deaths in that period. This year, the group has killed three Spanish police officers using car bombs.
Youth activityYouth activity
Those arrested overnight are said to be members of Segi, a radical Basque youth group declared illegal in 2007, after a judge concluded it had links to Eta. Those arrested are said to be members of Segi, a radical Basque youth group declared illegal in 2007, after a judge concluded it had links to Eta.
Under the supervision of an investigating judge, the police raided a number of private homes and youth centres. Under the supervision of an investigating judge, the police raided more than 60 premises, the interior ministry said.
Police said they found material and equipment for making explosive devices.
The police operation is ongoing, with reports saying a number of other suspects could have fled across the border into France.The police operation is ongoing, with reports saying a number of other suspects could have fled across the border into France.
"With these arrests, we have dismantled the core leadership of Segi," said Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba.
He added that there could be further arrests.
The suspects are considered hardliners within the separatist movement, police sources told local media.The suspects are considered hardliners within the separatist movement, police sources told local media.
Anti-terrorist officers had been monitoring youth activity following the arrest in Paris earlier this year of an alleged senior commander of Eta, says the BBC's Steve Kingstone in Madrid.Anti-terrorist officers had been monitoring youth activity following the arrest in Paris earlier this year of an alleged senior commander of Eta, says the BBC's Steve Kingstone in Madrid.
Documents seized at the time indicated the group was seeking to enlist a new generation of followers.Documents seized at the time indicated the group was seeking to enlist a new generation of followers.