Interview with the ‘craftsman of peace’ Txetx Etcheverry in Euskadi Irratian, trial in Paris

Calm and prepared to explain to the judge what role civil society plays in the process of dismantling ETA. This is how the ‘craftsman of peace’ showed himself Jean Noel Etcheverry Txetx, in an interview Euskadi Irratiain the hours leading up to the trial that begins today against him and Beatrice Molle at the Paris Criminal Court.

Both were arrested during the police operation against ETA carried out in Luhuso on December 16, 2016, and the French anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office requested trial before the Paris criminal court in February last year on weapons possession charges. , ammunition and explosives, and because of his ties with ETA. They can be sentenced to ten years in prison and a fine of 100,000 euros.

“Were we terrorists or artisans of peace?” It is the question that the defense will ask the judge, according to Etcheverry, and it is intended to be the key to this trial. “What would have happened if we had not acted in Luhuso? What would be the consequences for Euskal Herria? Our action was necessary and the consequences are clear. It is the message we will convey to the judge,” he insisted.

More than 4,000 police officers from various social and political circles in the Basque Country and France have demanded the acquittal of the ‘craftsmen of peace’. Likewise, Etcheverry has emphasized that during the trial, several people who held responsible positions in the French government will testify as defense witnesses, among others. : “This has never been seen before and clearly shows that we are dealing with an exceptional case.”