The judge reopens the case on the 'ongi etorris' to ETA prisoners to investigate "instructions" in Sortu chats

His decision is part of the case in which he investigates a hundred tributes between 2016 and 2019

MADRID, 30 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The judge of the National Court Manuel García Castellón has agreed to reopen the case in which 'ongi etorris' was investigating ETA prisoners to investigate chats allegedly administered by Sortu in which "guidelines and instructions on various issues and areas related to the prisoners and escapees from the terrorist organization ETA, promoting campaigns and mobilizations in favor of them.

In an order this Monday, collected by Europa Press, the head of the Central Court of Instruction Number 6 agrees to what was requested by the Dignity and Justice Association and, against the criteria of the Prosecutor's Office, agrees to extend the investigation of the case in which investigates the organization of a hundred tribute events (ongi etorri) to prisoners of the gang between 2016 and 2019.

It was this same month of January when the Public Ministry asked him to agree to the prosecution of ETA members Antón López Ruiz, alias 'Kubati', Carlos Sáez de Eguilaz and Felipe San Epifanio, 'Pipe', as well as that of the leaders of Sortu Haimar Altuna and Oihana Garmendia, as well as 'Kalera Kalera' member Oihana San Vicente.

The victims' association, however, asked the magistrate to reverse his decision to close the investigation and continue with it, considering it a premature decision. The magistrate, who agrees on this point, points out that a series of clues emerge from the analysis of the computer devices of Eguilaz and San Epifanio.

In one of the chats managed by Sortu Eguilaz he would receive "abundant information about events and mobilizations and messages about the release of prisoners from the terrorist organization ETA, which were later disseminated by organizations such as Etxerat or the magazine Kalera.info."

"In said channel, guidelines and instructions are published regarding activity in certain areas, and the subsequent application of said guidelines by Sortu's media," says the magistrate.

The judge also focuses on a Telegram channel, which would be managed by the Sare citizen network to support prisoners, escapees and deportees of the terrorist organization ETA.

For its part, San Epifanio would be subscribed as a user to another channel "where guidelines and instructions are given on various issues and areas related to prisoners and escapees from the terrorist organization ETA, receiving abundant information and promoting campaigns and mobilizations in favor of the ETA prisoners".

The instructor, however, assures that it is unknown "who are the administrators of the three Telegram channels mentioned, two belonging to the Sortu political party and one to the Sare citizen network, it being essential to know this point to clarify the facts investigated in these performances".

For all the above, explains García Castellón, the allegations of the Dignity and Justice Association must be welcomed, "which reveal the need to revoke" the closure of the investigation and extend it for another six months.