ETA blamed for exploding small device

Spanish authorities today blamed the armed group Eta for planting two explosive devices in a small northern town, one of which exploded.

One device, placed in a bin outside labour ministry offices in the town of Zarautz, exploded causing minor damage and no injuries. Hours earlier, police defused another device which had been left outside a court building in the town.

Spanish officials blame Eta for exploding small devices outside four courts in the Basque and neighbouring Navarra regions on October 25.

Eta has killed more than 800 people in a campaign for Basque independence since 1968. Its last fatal attack, however, was in May 2003 when it killed two police officers. In recent months it has set off a series of small explosions.

In a statement, the Basque regional government said the latest blast showed Eta intended maintaining its violent campaign.

It called on the organisation “to respect the wishes of the Basque people by renouncing violence once and for all and to let people live and decide in peace.”