April 22, 2008	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 15, 1429

MADRID: The trial opened in Madrid on Monday of 27 members of a banned group that helps prisoners of the armed Basque separatist organisation ETA.

Spanish prosecutors plan to seek 10-year prison terms for the accused members of Askatasuna, which was banned by Spanish authorities for its links to ETA.

The prosecution said Askatasuna “is one of the structures that are part of the ETA network” and has been directly financed by the organisation since “at least 1991.”It accused Askatasuna of acting as a link between ETA prisoners and the organisation’s leadership.

It is the biggest trial in Spain linked to ETA since 47 people were convicted of ties to the organisation last December.

The trial at Spain’s anti-terrorist court is expected to last until July 23. Around 250 witnesses are to be called.

ETA has killed 822 people as part of its 40-year campaign for an independent Basque homeland.—AFP