Basque separatist group ETA to be dissolved in May

Terrorist organization to announce its dissolution at an event in France

By Hasan Esen

MADRID (AA) - Basque separatist group ETA plans to announce its dissolution early next month after agreeing to a truce and laying down its arms last year, Spain’s EFE news agency said Wednesday.

The terrorist organization will announce its decision on May 5 at an event in the French city of Bayonne, EFE reported.

Founded in 1959, ETA has waged an armed struggle to establish an independent Basque state in northern Spain and southwest France. It is accused of killing at least 800 people and kidnapping dozens of others.

ETA, which announced that it would lay down its weapons in April 2017, is listed as a terrorist organization by the EU and U.S.

A total of 228 people accused of being ETA members have been jailed in Spain, while 52 others are in French prisons and one is in prison in Portugal.

Those who have been jailed for having links to ETA are expected to remain in prison after the terrorist group is dissolved.

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