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Former leader of ETA, will appear in court today charged with planting a bomb Alicante-Elche airport

Original Alicante Airport

Iratxe Sorzabal, a former ETA commander, will be tried by the National Court today, Monday 17th March, for the placement of a bomb at the Alicante-Elche Airport in July 1995. The Tedax (Tedax) was used to defuse the bomb, which was discovered in a bin by a cleaner. No damage was inflicted. The Prosecutor’s Office is requesting a six-year prison sentence for Sorzabal, who was apprehended in France in 2015 alongside former ETA leader David Pla. Additionally, the office is seeking a five-year prohibition on Sorzabal’s return to the location of the crime.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office in its indictment alleges that the former ETA leader deposited an explosive device at the airport on July 29th, 1995. The device was discovered by a cleaner at approximately 12:45 p.m. while she was emptying the bins.

The Tedax deactivated the device, which was composed of a digital timepiece, a 9-volt battery, 500 grammes of explosive material, an electric detonator, and several cables, after the State Security Forces cordoned off the area. The statement states that no personal or material damage occurred, despite the fact that the incendiary device was placed with the intention of causing the most damage to people and public and private property.

These events are classified as a terrorism offence under the 1973 Penal Code, which was in effect at the time of the events. This classification corresponds to one of terrorist attacks under the current legal framework, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.

For the first time in Spain, Iratxe Sorzabal was sentenced to 24 and a half years in prison in 2022 for a double attack that occurred in November 1996 in Gijón, targeting the Palace of Justice and a pharmacy. She was detained in Hernani (Guipúzcoa) prior to her arrest in France and subsequently released. Subsequently, she fled to France to join ETA, where she was apprehended once more in 2015.

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The Basque Autonomous Police have attributed the crime of the murder of Ertzaintza non-commissioned officer Montxo Doral in 1996 to a commando under the supervision of Sorzabal. Recently, a court of the National Court has reopened the investigation into the matter.

In order to circumvent the prosecution, her defence has maintained that the Civil Guard coerced her into confessing her involvement in the attacks during her initial arrest in 2001, much like they did when she was tried for the double attack in Gijón.

In June 2006, the Paris Correctional Court sentenced her in absentia to three years in prison for her involvement in ETA’s political apparatus. In 2013, she was once again sentenced in absentia in the trial in which her daughter’s father, former ETA leader Mikel Carrera Sarobe, Ata, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of two Civil Guards in Capbreton in 2007.


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Guardia Civil dismantles a group accused of robbing homes in Elda, Novelda, and Villena

The Guardia Civil has dismantled a network responsible for 110 burglaries in inhabited residences in the provinces of Alicante, Valencia, Albacete, and Murcia.

The group was operating in the municipalities of Elda, Novelda, and Villena in the province of Alicante, as well as in Guardamar del Segura, Alicante, San Vicente de Raspeig, Teulada, and Gata de Gorgos, according to the Civil Guard of Albacete’s investigation.

There have been seven arrests of Colombian nationals, with ages ranging from 19 to 42.

The burglaries were perpetrated by the perpetrators using a technique called “bumping”, which enables the opening of a door without the need to force the security lock. By inserting a manipulated key into the lock cylinder, they were able to cause the cylinder pistons to leap out, thereby enabling the key to turn and thereby opening the security door.

The Guardia Civil stated in a statement on Monday that the detainees gained access to the apartment entrances by either using the lock or repeatedly contacting the apartment doormen, posing as employees of courier companies, telephone companies and so forth. This approach earned the trust of their neighbours, who subsequently opened the building doors for them.

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On other occasions, the group employed female members to make residence decisions. They pretended to disseminate publicity or request data for surveys by ringing doorbells while carrying folders or survey kits. They promptly notified the group members if there were no residents.

The organisation that has been dismantled stole jewellery, watches, currency, or any other valuable items.


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Five injured, including two babies, in a traffic accident in Elche

SAMU Ambulance

Five individuals were injured in a traffic accident on the CV 851 highway in the municipality of Elche on Sunday, May 11th, according to the Generalitat’s Emergency Coordination Centre (CICU). Health services were responsible for providing treatment. The tragedy was initially reported by the CICU to have taken place in the municipality of Dolores.

According to the CICU, the emergency services were notified at approximately 6:30 p.m. of an accident involving two vehicles on the CV-851, which was travelling towards Elche.

Two basic life support units, one transport unit, and one SAMU medical unit were deployed to provide medical assistance to the injured.

Five individuals were attended to by the medical team: two males aged 22 and 40, a woman aged 36, and two infants aged 2 and 10 months.

Subsequently, all were transferred to the Vinalopó Hospital and the General Hospital in Elche, initially suffering from injuries. However, no additional information regarding their condition has been disclosed.

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Man arrested for robbery with force in Elche hospital and another for assault

National Police officers have arrested a 43-year-old man for allegedly perpetrating a burglary within a hospital in Elche. The private security personnel were aware of the suspect, who had broken into 14 containers in various locations he had visited, and they notified the police.

Although the individual fled to a nearby neighbourhood, patrols promptly apprehended him. Among his possessions, they found a variety of medical supplies and instruments purportedly used to break into the lockers.

This individual was apprehended by officers for the purported offence of burglary, as determined by the information gained. Following the police investigation, the detainee appeared before the investigating court on duty.

Arrested for an attempted assault at a different facility in Elche


An incident of violence against medical staff occurred at another local hospital in the wake of an attempted assault by a 34-year-old man who had recently been discharged.

The private security team of the centre was compelled to promptly intervene in response to the attacker’s aggressive behaviour, thereby preventing the situation from escalating and causing additional harm.

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The individual was promptly apprehended by a police detail, who identified him as the alleged perpetrator of a crime that involved the assault and damage of healthcare workers. They subsequently arrested him.


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