Costa Blanca

Woman tells ETA trail “I removed the box and saw the bomb”

Former ETA leader Iratxe Sorzabal is scheduled to be tried at the National Court yesterday, Monday March 17th, at the National Court, two decades after the attempted explosion at Alicante-Elche airport. He is expected to be sentenced to six years in prison.

A cleaner uncovered the explosive device in a bin situated in the tunnel that connects the car park to the passenger arrivals area on July 29th, 1995. It was defused by bomb disposal experts (Tedax) without inflicting any damage. As per the prosecution’s report, the device was composed of “a digital clock, a 9-volt battery, 500 grammes of Ameritol explosive substance, an electric detonator, and some wires.”

Upon uncovering the box in which the explosive was enclosed, the woman who discovered it immediately recognised its nature. “I was required to mop the area surrounding a substantial bin.” The receptacle I had emptied was present when I returned, as I had left my trolley adjacent to it. She testified during the hearing, “I lifted a heavy bag, opened a box within, and discovered that it was filled with a very hard substance, including wires and a clock.”

According to the former airport employee, she was “calm in a significant way.” “In order to prevent any potential alarms, I concealed the item and promptly fled to notify the terminal staff and the authorities in the vicinity.” She explained, “I went upstairs to ensure that the area was cordoned off and that people were kept away, because I realised what it was.”

Sorzabal has appeared in court for the second time this year. The former ETA commander was charged with an attack that occurred at the Irún border crossing in Guipúzcoa in October 1995, resulting in damage to the Spanish customs office. The trial was conducted in late February. The prosecution is requesting a 12-year penitentiary sentence for that incident.

During her testimony as a defendant, Sorzabal denied “everything” while still anticipating the verdict. The ‘kantada’, a report that an ETA member submitted to the group’s leadership upon detention, was the subject of much attention. This report provided a detailed account of attacks that had not yet been identified, including the two incidents that were previously mentioned.

The former ETA commander asserted that the manuscript contained “everything” she had been “compelled to memorise, with all the details,” while in police custody.

In Monday’s session, the Civil Guard officer who analysed the ‘kantada’ testified again, stating that it contained “far more details and data about each of the actions she participated in, whether it be placing explosive devices or performing other tasks in terrorist actions,” as in the first trial.

An additional witness, who was also an officer, reported that the accused admitted to placing the device in a plastic bag on the Civil Guard premises. “According to the bombing report and the explosives technical report, that was precisely the container of the device—a black plastic rubbish bag,” said the investigator.

The trial will recommence today, when it will be prepared for sentencing. Sorzabal, who has requested to testify after all evidence has been presented, will be heard by the court.

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Costa Blanca

Consumer Affairs Ministry has blocked 65,000 Airbnb listings it considers “illegal”

The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption, and the 2030 Agenda has blocked over 65,000 listings on Airbnb that it considers “illegal.” According to a statement, the ministry, led by Pablo Bustinduy, has ordered the multinational’s Irish subsidiary to remove 65,935 listings because they violate advertising standards for this type of tourist accommodation. These listings are said to violate the rules of the autonomous communities where the Consumer Affairs Department found them. In all cases, the advertisements are for complete tourist homes; there are no listings for individual rooms.

Recently, the government claims to have issued Airbnb up to three resolutions informing it of the more than 65,000 unlawful tourist accommodation listings discovered on its platform, “resolutions in which this company was urged to block this advertising,” according to the Ministry. It should be mentioned that Airbnb filed an appeal with the courts to prevent the ban, and the High Court of Justice of Madrid has finally ruled on the initial resolution, issuing an order that supports the actions of the Consumer Affairs Department. In response to the ministry’s first order, the High Court of Justice has urged Airbnb to remove 5,800 tourist flat listings immediately.

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Costa Blanca

Firefighter from the Benidorm fire station dies in a climbing accident in the Pyrenees

A Benidorm fireman died in a climbing accident in the French Pyrenees on Saturday, May 17th, according to sources from the Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium.

Although they could not specify his age or place of birth, they established that the firefighter, F.Ll, worked at the Benidorm fire station and was originally from the province of Alicante.

The Consortium’s official Twitter account, which does not provide information about the accident, has stated that it greatly laments the loss of its “companion and friend Fran Llorens, in a climbing accident in the French Pyrenees.”

They also stated that he is “an example of professional behaviour and treatment of others” and that he “honoured the uniform, leaving an indelible mark on the Benidorm park and #cpba (Aicante Provincial Fire Consortium).” RIP.

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Costa Blanca

National Police dismantle a house in Elche from which cocaine and marijuana were sold 24 hours a day

The National Police arrested three men and a woman in Elche for allegedly being part of a familial clan that sold and distributed drugs from a residence in “la puñalá.”

The drug sales point was open 24 hours a day, and the detained individuals had another residence that served as a warehouse for the drugs they would later sell.

During the operation, National Police officers discovered 350 grams of cocaine hidden inside a cement mixer, 10 grams of marijuana, a huge knife, a high-end car, and paraphernalia used for drug sales.

In addition, a marijuana plantation of 158 plants was discovered in one of the examined flats, illegally connected to an electrical outlet.

The detainees’ ages range from 35 to 60. All have been charged with alleged drug trafficking, membership in a criminal group, and electricity fraud.

After submitting a statement to the court authority, the person believed to be the group’s head was imprisoned.

According to the National Police on Sunday, the family clan intercepted had a clear separation of roles, with some in charge of selling the material and others in charge of carrying out surveillance activities around the residence under investigation.