Until now, the only condition for offering a show in a prison was that its creators had no criminal or police record. From now on, however, any cultural proposal should express its "commitment to respect values", promote the "reintegration" of prisoners and "not offend the victims", as explained by the Department of Justice and Human Rights. According to him, the song Sarri Sarri, one of the songs Muguruza offered on Saturday, does not meet these conditions, with special emphasis on not insulting the victims. "We don't want this to happen again," said the Department headed by Socialist Maria Jesús San José at the Congress of Deputies.

Muguruza's concert has received criticism from the Covite victims' association, among others.

Response from Muguruza

The Iraqi musician, for his part, recalled in a message broadcast on Instagram that on 26 May 1985 the Kortatu group offered a concert in Martutene prison and that a few days later, on 7 July, Sarrionandia and Pikabea escaped hidden in the loudspeakers of a concert offered by singer Imanol Larzabal in Martutene.

"Since then I have been banned from playing in Martutene and other prisons," says Muguruza. "In 2000 I was in Pamplona prison with Dub Manifest, in 2023 with Zaballan Des-kontrol and in February of this year with the Palestinian group DAM in the same prison." On Saturday Muguruza played again with the Des-kontrol group: "Today, November 16, 2024, I have returned to Martutene to offer a concert. The same patio. The same hunger for freedom. Singing Sarri Sarri was banned in jail in almost 40 years. Today we have all sung out loud! The only fight that is lost is the one that is abandoned. Prisoners on Amnesty Total Street."

After hearing the decision of the Justice Department, Muguruza appeared at a press conference in Donostia-San Sebastian on Tuesday, where he convened a press conference to present the DVD and CD Bidasoa 2018-2023. Lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, said that the tightening of the conditions for holding cultural shows in prison caused him "surprise" and "disappointment": "I would like to know if the lehendakari, Pradales, agrees with his Justice Department," he added. In fact, the Basque Government showed its support for the musician for singing the song Sarri Sarri in a campaign against him years ago.

Concert by Anoeta

At a press conference in Donostia-San Sebastian, Fermin Muguruza explained that 25,000 tickets have already been sold for the concert he will offer on June 14 at the Anoeta stadium in Donostia-San Sebastián. He has also announced the bands invited to participate in the festival: Des Kontrol, Bad Sound System, Niña Coyote eta Chico Tornado and the Palestinian group DAM.

Interview with Fermín Muguruza in ARGIA

Together with ARGIA magazine this week, we will distribute the Larrun supplement, which includes an extensive interview by journalist Lander Arbelaitz to Fermin Muguruza.