CAHAN, France, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Spanish Interior Ministry said a man thought to be the military chief for the ETA, a Basque separatist organization, was arrested Sunday in France.
Radio France Internationale said the arrest of suspected ETA official Ibon Gogeascoechea Arronategu in Lower Normandy was the result of a joint operation between French and Spanish authorities.
Also arrested during Sunday's early morning raid were Beinat Aguinalde Ugartemendia and Gergorio Jimenez Morales.
Authorities allege Morales transport equipment used in ETA attacks, while Ugartemendia is suspected of taking part in the 2008 killings of businessman Ignacio Uria Mendizabal and Spanish parliamentarian Isaias Carrasco.
RFI said in addition to arresting the three men, authorities seized materials used to make explosives during the raid, as well as a number of firearms, false police identity cards and cash.
ETA, short for Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, has been designated a terrorist organization by both the European Union and the United States. The Basque group, which has operated for 41 years, has been blamed for the deaths of nearly 830 people.
