Ertzaintza Detains Two Radicals With Agent Data Amid Cooperation Dispute

The Ertzaintza has detained two members of the radical dissident group Jardun Koordinadora for alleged terrorism offenses after they were found in possession of sensitive data regarding state security forces and a potential weapons cache. The arrests, made on October 17 in Irún, follow an initial identification on September 26 during a traffic stop in Eskoriatza. The individuals, a 34-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman, voluntarily surrendered to police accompanied by their lawyers.

The Investigation

During the September control, agents identified three people traveling together, including an Irish national with IRA ties. Police seized electronic agendas containing detailed information on Guardia Civil and National Police officers, including home addresses and work locations. Sources also reported the discovery of coordinates pointing to a suspected arms and explosives hideout ("zulo"). The Ertzaintza’s Central Intelligence Office (OCI) conducted the investigation in coordination with the Audiencia Nacional but did not immediately share these findings with other state police forces.

Political Fallout

The handling of the case has sparked significant tension between regional and state authorities. ABC reports that the Spanish Government’s delegate in the Basque Country, Marisol Gramendia, called for "reinforced police cooperation," criticizing the Ertzaintza for withholding information about the data breach from the Guardia Civil and National Police for nearly a month. Conversely, El Mundo notes that Basque political leaders, including PNV president Aitor Esteban, have previously accused state forces of overstepping jurisdictional boundaries, complicating inter-agency trust.

Reactions

Jardun Koordinadora expressed solidarity with the detainees, while Aske, a related amnesty platform, claimed the arrests were part of a media-driven criminalization campaign. In contrast, the PNV issued a statement expressing "absolute concern," warning that such actions risk reversing the peace achieved since ETA’s ceasefire. The detainees remain in custody awaiting transfer to the Audiencia Nacional.