Judge suspends Basque political party

A Spanish judge today shut down a Basque political party on the grounds that it supports the armed separatist group Eta.

The 375-page order by Judge Baltasar Garzon, Spain’s most prominent anti-terrorism crusader, suspended the activities of the Batasuna party for three years.

Batasuna’s offices will be closed and the 24-year-old party is barred from calling public demonstrations or political rallies.

It will also be prevented from running in municipal elections scheduled for next May. But MPs representing the party will be allowed to serve out their terms.