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

Six arrested at paella event in Alicante

According to a statement from the police headquarters, the National Police conducted a search in the city of Alicante during the university paella event at the Rabasa fairgrounds. The raid resulted in the identification of 97 individuals and the arrest of six.

On Wednesday, April 16th, approximately 19,000 individuals attended the event, which is held during the Easter break.

In addition to the individuals who were identified, officers confiscated 18 vehicles, issued seven penalties for possession of narcotic substances, and apprehended six individuals for a variety of offences, such as robbery with intimidation, vehicle theft, burglary, legal action, and theft.

The operation was coordinated by the Alicante Provincial Police Station and involved officers from the Prevention and Reaction Units, Operational Response Group Units, the Mobile Brigade, the Citizen Service Group, dog handlers, and support officers from the various Brigades and the Northern District Police Station. The operation proceeded without incident as usual. Additionally, officers from the Alicante Local Police took part.

Officers from the Aerial Media Unit used police drones to monitor the event from the air.

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Costa Blanca

Benidorm will celebrate the 40th ‘Bike Day for All’ on May 4th

The 40th edition of “Bicycle Day for All” will happen on Sunday, May 4th, in collaboration with local clubs Unión Ciclista Benidorm, Club Ciclista Benidorm Beach, and Club Ciclista Sol Benidorm, as well as other sponsors, according to the Benidorm City Council’s Sports Department.

As in previous years, the Foietes Park auditorium will host the rally at 9:30 a.m. Several hundred devotees of these two-wheeled vehicles, whose numbers are increasing annually, will convene. The route will remain consistent with that of previous years, and the event will commence at 10:00 a.m. It will commence in the park and proceed along Jaime I, Armada Española, Vicente Llorca Alós, Paseo de Tamarindos, and Paseo de Tamarindos, where a junction will be established, before returning to the park. The route will be level and approximately 7.2 kilometres long, making it suitable for all types. Nevertheless, the City Council would like to remind all participants that helmets are mandatory for participation in the activity.

The event is timed to coincide with Mother’s Day, making it an ideal opportunity to engage in this activity with the entire family. Javier Jordá, Councillor for Sports, stated that the event is designed to “encourage them to exercise, share great moments with them, and promote the use of bicycles as a healthy and enjoyable form of leisure activity.” Following the event, attendees will participate in a traditional bicycle raffle.

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Costa Blanca

Torrevieja aims to have 200 local police officers by 2027

The Torrevieja City Council, a municipality with a registered population of 108,000, has recently added six new local police officers to its personnel. During the summer months, the population of the municipality doubles. Nevertheless, the governing team, which is led by the Popular Party (PP) candidate Eduardo Dolón, aims to have 200 active officers by the end of the current term in 2027. This number is crucial to provide the services that the residents of Torrevieja and the thousands of tourists who visit us annually deserve.

The Mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, confirmed these facts to the Councillors for Personnel and Internal Affairs, María José Ruiz, and the Head of Security and Emergencies, Federico Alarcón, during the swearing-in of the six officers and two other municipal workers. He welcomed and encouraged them to work with outstanding dedication to continue improving the quality of municipal services in Torrevieja after they had sworn in or promised their positions.

In particular, a Chief Heritage Architect and a replacement Green Team worker, as well as six local police officers (four constables and two officers), have been appointed. Eduardo Dolón emphasised the financial investments that Torrevieja City Council has made in recent years to increase the number of police officers. With over 108,000 registered residents, this initiative aims to meet the city’s increasing security needs.