Ertzaintza arrests two Jardun members for terrorism and data on Civil Guards
Basque police have arrested two members of the radical group Jardun after finding information on security forces and alleged location of explosive weapons.
Arrest for terrorism in Irún
According to elmundo.es, the Ertzaintza has arrested two members of the radical organisation Jardun accused of possessing data on Civil Guards deployed in the Basque Country and on suspicion of locating explosive material. The detainees, aged 34 and 22, were initially identified on 26 September at a police checkpoint in Eskoriatza (Gipuzkoa) whilst travelling with an Irish citizen. The pair have "relevant prior convictions", the Basque police have reported.
The Ertzaintza is holding both suspects at the Irún police station under investigation for terrorism offences. During the initial checkpoint, officers located material that included "information on security forces and bodies", as well as specific data on Civil Guard personnel in the region. Additionally, "the possible location of a place with material, presumably weapons and explosives" was detected, although the Basque police have not confirmed whether a 'zulo' (weapons cache) with armaments has been found.
History of violent confrontations
Jardun is part of the radical co-ordinator Aske and has been distinguished for staging the most violent confrontations against security forces in the Basque Country and Navarre. Members of the group were detected in the serious incidents of 12 October 2025 in Vitoria, when they attempted to sabotage a Falange event; the Basque police made 17 arrests on that occasion. The group demands amnesty for all ETA prisoners.
Aske has confirmed these arrests on social media and interprets them as a consequence of a "criminalisation campaign" by the media. However, both accused presented themselves voluntarily at the Irún police station accompanied by a lawyer. The investigation is being directed by the Audiencia Nacional.
Political reactions
The PNV has expressed its "absolute concern" at the arrests, stating that if the facts are confirmed, the situation "takes us back to past times" that were believed to be "overcome". The sovereigntist party has issued an appeal to Basque society to "not take a step backwards in the preservation of peace".
These arrests come just two days before the fifteenth anniversary of ETA's announcement of a permanent ceasefire, decided after pressure from the State Security Forces.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)