A MEMBER of Basque paramilitary group Eta is to fight attempts to extradite him from Northern Ireland.
Iñaki de Juana Chaos (53), who was freed from a Spanish prison on licence in August having served more than 20 years for killing 25 people, appeared voluntarily before Belfast Recorder's Court yesterday in an effort to remain.
He is currently staying at an address in the city with his wife. His counsel told the court that a European Arrest Warrant issued by Spanish authorities was "fundamentally flawed".
The court heard allegations that after his release from jail last summer he gave a woman a letter, written by him, which called for a continuation of armed struggle against the Spanish state. This has been contested.
Barrister Stephen Ritchie said the letter was in contravention of articles of the Spanish code which were similar to articles of the 2006 Terrorism Act, thus providing grounds for extradition. Mr Ritchie argued against bail being granted to de Juana Chaos on the grounds that he was at risk of not attending any further hearings.
For the defence Seán Devine questioned whether there was an equivalence between the alleged offence complained of by Spain and the articles of the Terrorism Act.
There were adjournments while translations of the Spanish code and other items were addressed. These included assessment of whether or not the alleged crimes were sufficiently grave for extradition proceedings to begin.
The recorder allowed de Juana Chaos to be freed on bail pending appearance on November 28th.
Bail conditions include that he remain at an address notified to the court; that he observe a curfew; that he report daily to a PSNI station; and place £5,000 in surety.