Judge María Tardón from Spain’s National Court has summoned former members of ETA’s ‘Donosti commando’ for questioning regarding the murder of businessman Francisco Arratibel in February 1997. The summoned individuals include Francisco Javier García Gaztelu, known as ‘Txapote’, and Irantzu Gallastegui, referred to as ‘Amaia’. Additionally, four former leaders of the terrorist organization are facing prosecution: José Javier Arizcuren Ruiz, known as ‘Kantauri’; Miguel Albisu Iriarte, ‘Mikel Antza’; Ignacio Miguel Gracia Arregui, ‘Iñaki de Rentería’; and Soledad Iparraguirre, also known as ‘Anboto’.
In her ruling to formalize the prosecution, the judge noted that all the accused were part of ETA’s Executive Committee during the period when the decision was made to plan and execute Arratibel’s murder. The judge’s order recounts that, a year prior to the murder, ETA had attempted to detonate an explosive device at Arratibel’s business, which failed due to a malfunction.
On February 11, 1997, members of ETA’s ‘Donosti commando’, including ‘Txapote’ and ‘Amaia’, fatally shot Arratibel from close range. Tardón stated that García Gaztelu, disguised with a wig and mustache, fired the shot, which was traced back to a FN Browning pistol. Irantzu Gallastegui assisted him in fleeing the scene in Tolosa.
The case was initially closed the same year as the attack, as no evidence linked any particular individuals to the crime. However, it was reopened in 2013 after new information came to light. The judge outlined various pieces of evidence against the accused, including forensic analysis of the bullet, a statement from ETA claiming responsibility for the attack, and a report from the Civil Guard identifying the two as potential perpetrators.
Testimonies from two former ETA members, who are protected witnesses, highlighted that during the time of Arratibel’s murder, ETA’s leadership was directing “selective” killings targeting both political figures and business leaders. At that time, Miguel Albisu was in charge of ETA’s political operations, while Arizcuren Ruiz and Gracia Arregui were leading its military wing. Soledad Iparraguirre managed the ‘legal’ commando units.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/espana/agencias/2024/07/24/la-audiencia-nacional-cita-a-txapote-para-hoy-para-comunicarle-su-procesamiento-por-un-asesinato-de-1997/
