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Spain's ETA claims itself as "disarmed" organization

Xinhua, April 7, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Spanish separatist group ETA on Friday said in a communique that it is a "disarmed" organization after giving up all its weaponry.

The group said on March 17 that it would complete its disarmament process by April 8, handing over its weapons to "groups in civil society."

In the communique released to the BBC, the ETA criticized the Spanish and French governments for placing "obstacles" in the way of the disarmament process.

Although it no longer has weapons, "the disarmament process is not completed," said the group.

The Spanish government has not made any comments so far, but its stance has long been to ask for the total dissolution of the ETA, rather than what it regards as symbolic gestures.

Madrid has also made it plain that there will be no concessions made to the group and that the hunt for the few ETA members thought to remain at large will not be halted.

The ETA's 50-year armed struggle for the independence of the Basque region has caused the loss of 829 lives and more than 20,000 injuries. Endi