New dynamic to accelerate the process of return home of the Basque political prisoner Txetxu Barrios in Atarrabia
- This Basque political prisoner has been in prison for 24 years and, although he has already served three quarters of the sentence imposed, he has been denied the right to leave, and the National High Court prevents him from going to third grade. Consequently, he cannot access probation. The prisoner, who has denied that he is as old as his parents, has applied for admission to Zaballa prison, has been released.
Convinced that we are on the verge of the end of the policy of remoteness, the citizens of Villava believe that it is time to put aside emergency legislation and make a leap into ordinary legislation. However, this change has also been able to influence opposing attitudes, and there are still events that are hampering the way back home,” they reported in a statement. An example of this is the situation of Txetxu Barrios. "Txetxu, who has been in prison for 24 years, is currently in Zuera prison in Madrid. He has served three-quarters of the sentence, the father is of age and has asked for the transfer of Zuera prison to Zaballa. The transfer has been approved by the Zuera Treatment Board, but it has finally been rejected by the National Hearing. In addition to the transfer to the Basque Country, Txetxu has been denied the right to leave, even if it meets the requirements; to be in the second grade and to have three quarters fulfilled. It also complies with the requirements of progression to third grade, but has not been offered the possibility to do so," they denounced.
"Txetxu should be in Euskal Herria, with permits and the possibility of going to a third grade, as stated in the penitentiary legislation," they stressed in the letter. "The resignation imposed on him by the Spanish National Court, once again, is based on exceptionality and revenge," they have considered. In order to denounce this situation and for Txetxu Barrios "to develop the process back home", Sare de Villava, under the motto "There are no obstacles on the way home!", will set in motion a new dynamic that invites all citizens and all social, political, trade union and cultural agents of the locality to join it.
"The door has been opened to change this very difficult situation that has been blocked for a long time. Faced with positions and obstacles, we must show that this people is willing to move forward and live together. It is the responsibility of all to leave this exceptional situation behind and to facilitate the process back home. Let us be active on the road to coexistence, peace and return home", he added.
Since we were transferred to Euskal Herria from the prisons of the Spanish State, in the prison of Zaballa we have found many deficiencies in the field of communication. We have fewer and shorter face-to-face contacts, we have had to make visits to the speaker in poor technical... [+]
