A federal judge this week ordered the seizure of 18m euros worth of the assets of the Basque political party Batasuna. Judge Baltasar Garzon is conducting an extended investigation into ETA, the Basque separatist movement that has been waging a violent struggle for an independent Basque homeland since the 1960’s. Garzon said the assets should cover the costs of what he described as politically motivated street violence by Basque youths this year. The ruling comes close on the heels of the passing of a bill by both houses of Parliament aimed at banning Batasuna. Moderate Basque leaders and other critics warn that the new law will only encourage divisiveness and further fuel radical Basque nationalism. Meanwhile the ETA is accused of carrying out several recent car bombings in Spain.
