British police arrest ETA suspect in university town

Jul 7, 2011, 10:34 GMT

London - A suspected member of Basque separatist group ETA, wanted for an alleged attempt to assassinate the Spanish king, has been arrested in Britain, Scotland Yard said Thursday.

Eneko Gogeaskoetxea Arronategui, a Spanish national, was wanted in connection with the attempted assassination in 1997 under a European arrest warrant, Scotland Yard said.

A statement said Arronategui, 44, was arrested in the university town of Cambridge, north of London, where officers raided a property Thursday following an 'intelligence-led' operation.

He is due to appear before magistrates in London later Thursday.

Spanish authorities believe he attempted to assassinate King Juan Carlos in October 1997 before fleeing the country.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said his arrest warrant states he is wanted for a string of offences, including participation in an armed gang, attempted assassination of the king, terrorism resulting in death, possession of weapons and theft.

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