SPANISH COURT REFUSES TO RELEASE INAKI ON HIS 80TH DAY OF HUNGER STRIKE

The Basque prisoner will continue in custody and in hospital, although the Public Prosecutor had asked a reduction of the prison terms. The decision came with a vote, agreed by 12 votes to 4.

The Public Prosecutor asked on Febr. 24 the Spanish National Court to reduce the prison terms of ETA prisoner Iñaki de Juana Chaos, due to the deterioration of his health and the death risk after 79 days of hunger strike. The measure would include a permanent police surveillance.

Iñaki de Juana Chaos, on hunger strike for 79 days, is in the Madrid-based hospital Doce de Octubre, where he is being force-fed.

The National Court received recently a report written by two doctors that examined De Juana at the Madrid-based hospital Doce de Octubre. The report warns about the deterioration of his health and the death risk.

As it received the report, the National Court asked the sides implied in the case - the Public Prosecution's Office, the Association of Terrorism Victims (AVT) and the Defense of De Juana - to say if they deem it legitimate to take some measures for the health condition of the Basque prisoner Iñaki de Juana Chaos.

The Defense of De Juana asked to release the Basque prisoner on bail for humanitarian reaons, whereas the Association of Terrorism Victims (AVT) didn't want any change.