Spain’s National Court today found a former leading member of the armed Basque group Eta guilty of taking part in the 1996 slaying of a Socialist politician and sentenced him to 82 years in prison.

THE arrest in France of two suspected leaders of the outlawed Basque separatists ETA significantly weakened the armed group, Spainish justice minister Angel Acebes said yesterday.

French police have arrested two Basque militants considered top leaders of the armed separatist group Eta’s commando units, the Interior Ministry said.