Spain probes blast in Basque country

Published Jan 16, 2009

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Madrid - A small bomb planted in a television transmitter exploded in Spain's Basque country early on Friday, but caused no serious damage or injuries, police said.

A spokesperson said officers found three signs on the road to the transmitter in the town of Hernani that read: "Warning, ETA bomb". Police said they received no warning before the blast, which occurred at around 1am.

If confirmed, the attack would be the first this year by ETA, an armed group fighting for independence for the region bordering France's Atlantic coast.

ETA was blamed for the killings of four people in 2008 - two members of the security forces, a councillor for Spain's ruling Socialist party and a businessman involved in a new train line opposed by the group.

The picturesque town of Hernani, 12km inland from the historic resort of San Sebastian, has a tradition of support for left-wing, pro-independence groups.

Its mayor, Marian Beitialarrangoitia, stood for a party now banned by Spanish courts for its links to ETA. She gained notoriety last year after publicly applauding two suspected members of ETA accused of a deadly bomb attack on Madrid airport in 2006. - Reuters

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