Thousands demand acquittal of 'Bateragune' case defendants in Donostia

Thousands of people rallied in Donostia-San Sebastian on Sunday to demand the acquittal of the leftwing nationalist members who are being tried in the National High Court over "Bateragune case."

Apart from the general deputy Martin Garitano, the rally was also attended by Javier Madrazo from Ezker Batua, Jesus Uzkudun from CCOO, former director of Emakunde (Basque Women''s Institute) Txaro Arteaga and former mayor of San Sebastian Ramón Labaien.

Leaders of EA, Alternatiba, Aralar, EB and nationalist trade unions joined the initiative, as well as several representatives of the former Batasuna like Rufi Etxeberria and Tasio Erkizia.

The new Deputy General of Gipuzkoa Martin Garitano, and the four defendants in this process who are free: Rafa Diez, Txelui Moreno, Jose Manuel Serra and Amaia Esnal also attended the demostration.

The demonstration finished just after 19:00 pm at the Boulevard in Donostia-San Sebastian where the separatist leader Kontxita Beitia and journalist Xabier Oleaga read a communique.

In the communique they pointed out that it is time to "externalize the critical awareness of Basque society" so that it can reach the Spanish courts. In the text, they stated they do not want "more political trials such as Bateragune" which, in their opinion are part of "the past". They therefore called for "democracy for Basque citizens" and defended human rights "for all people."