A Belfast judge has thrown out a Spanish request for an extradition order against Arturo Villanueva.He has judged that the request is invalid for a number of reasons.Spain want the 33 year old to face terrorism charges .It is alleged that he belonged to a youth group linked to ETA.The invalidity of the warrant was based on a lack of facts and actual evidence that the man had attended meetings and had given interviews.
It has been said by the Spanish authorities that this man took part in violent and coercive actions,however the judge felt there was no hard evidence to back this up.The group that it is alleged that he belonged to did carry out more than 6000 incidents at the specified time.However there just isn’t enough evidence it seems to prove that this man was actually a member of the group.
Lawyers for the Spanish authorities have seven days to appeal.In his defence the man has admitted to working politically but peacefully for the rights of Basque youth.He also says that he has worked in defence of Basque national rights.
