MADRID, Aug 13 (KUNA) -- The Spanish government stressed importance Monday that it will not yield to blackmail by the Basque separatist group (ETA) with regard to ETA prisoners going on hunger strike, a move in support for their mate, losu Uribetxebarria, to demand for his release based on his deteriorating health condition.
Spain's Development Minister Ana Pastor said in a press statement to Spanish news agency (Europa Press), that the Madrid government was committed to abide by the law and legislations regarding prisoners, noting that it would not yield to any blackmail method whatsoever from the prisoners.
The minister also noted that the government will reexamine Uribetxebarria health condition, who is suffering from cancer, and has been receiving treatment and has been transferred to a hospital in the northern Spanish Basque city of San Sebastian.
The new treatment is based on Spanish law, the minister said, adding but such treatment was "not to in response to terrorists demands." Earlier, the Spanish Interior Ministry said 108 prisoners of ETA in various Spanish jails went on hunger strike in demand for his release.
Losu Uribetxebarria, an ETA convict jailed for kidnapping a prison official in the 1990s.
ETA prisoners in Spain are about 600 while 100 more in France. (end) hnd.mb KUNA 140025 Aug 12NNNN