On 29 July 2000, retired Spanish politician Juan Mari Jáuregui was assassinated by Basque separatists Eta. Deemed a terrorist organisation by the European Union, Eta killed more than 800 people between 1968 and 2010. Its goal was to create an independent Basque state out of territory in south-west France and northern Spain.

Following Jáuregui’s murder, his widow Maixabel Lasa worked to help victims of political violence and highlight their suffering, weakening Eta’s support. A decade later, she received a message from one of the men involved in Jáuregui’s murder. He wanted to meet her and take responsibility for his actions, beginning a remarkable friendship.

In 2011, Eta declared a permanent ceasefire, and formally disbanded in 2018.

Maixabel Lasa speaks to Ben Henderson.

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(Photo: Maixabel Lasa. Credit: Arnaitz Rubio/Europa Press via Getty Images)

Eta’s assassination of Juan Mari Jáuregui

Witness History

Eta’s assassination of Juan Mari Jáuregui