The National Court opens a case for the tributes to ETA members on New Year's Eve in Bilbao, Hernani and Ondarroa

MADRID, 10 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The judge of the National Court Manuel García Castellón has agreed to open an investigation into different tributes to ETA members last New Year's Eve after Vox filed a complaint against those responsible for the calls for these events in the towns of Bilbao, Hernani and Ondorroa.

The judge, in an order dated January 8 to which Europa Press has had access, points out that the facts may fit into a crime of glorifying terrorism and humiliating the dignity of victims of terrorism and that "they present characteristics that "presume the possible existence of a criminal infraction".

In line with this, and given that "the nature and circumstances of such events and the people who participated in them have not been determined", the titular magistrate of the Central Court of Instruction number 6 agrees to forward the complaint to the Prosecutor's Office "to report on the jurisdiction and, if applicable, urge steps to be taken."

In the Vox complaint, to which this news agency also had access, it is explained that on December 31, 2023, "street dramatizations of a 'Christmas Dinner' as a tribute to members of ETA" were held in those three locations. And he points out that photographs of ETA members who are in prison "convicted for their intervention in murders by the terrorist group" were exhibited.

Regarding Hernani's tribute, he indicates that the dinner was held in the middle of the street and members of 'Ernai' - which they describe as a youth organization close to Sortu - arranged "an end of year dinner with a tablecloth, plates, glasses, candles and "10 empty chairs, one for each imprisoned ETA resident in the town." He adds that they pasted photographs of the prisoners on the backs of the seats and that in the other two dramatizations they acted in a similar way.

"These 'Christmas tables' have been supported by Sortu, however, we do not know if they attended them or if the support was financially for their organization," he clarifies, and insists that these acts "include the commission of a crime." of glorification of terrorism, therefore, the exhibition of the photographs of the members of ETA convicted for their intervention in murders carried out publicly, means granting them support and recognition for their activity, and on the contrary, the humiliation of the victims.

FOR VOX, FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IS NOT PROTECTED. On the other hand, it indicates that those events held in the street "should have had the authorization of the respective councils, since there is no news that the public force acted to prevent them from taking place." And he warns that they are not protected by freedom of expression.

"Even the specially protected freedom of political position cannot protect actions that have deserved serious criminal reproach, such as murders for which those indicated were convicted," he adds.

And he reminds us that the honorees are in prison "due to their conviction for execrable acts that not only do not deserve any praise or praise, but on the contrary, they must be recipients of all the rejection of society."

For this reason, he indicates that the mere presence of his photograph that he shows them "as an example of attitude and action (...) is reprehensible, since it constitutes a message of hate."

After this, the political party is interested in the identification and declaration of those responsible for the organization of these 'Christmas tables' and that the three city councils be given a letter to provide whatever documentation they have in their possession regarding the events reported in the complaint.

It also requests that the Government Subdelegation be given a letter to send the complete report on the tributes held that are the subject of this complaint and to the National Police, Civil Guard and Ertzaintza to obtain a report on the data they know about the people who were in the event, who attended and all other information in their possession about the development of the event.