The Association of Terror Victims (AVT) has organised a demonstration in Madrid at noon today in protest at the release of José Ignacio de Juana Chaos, who left Carabanchel jail outside Madrid at 7.26am this morning accompanied by his wife, Irati Iranzabal, and two legal representatives.

De Juana served 18 years for 25 murders committed in the name of the Basque separatist cause, including an attack on the Plaza de la República Dominicana - the stage chosen by the AVT for today's protest - on July 14th, 1986, that claimed the lives of 12 Guardia Civil officers. He then served a further three years for making non-terrorist threats in articles published by the Gara Basque daily newspaper during his incarceration.

De Juana is currently on hunger strike in protest at an embargo placed recently on his intended new home - a flat in a residential block in San Sebastián's Amara district, purchased by his wife, that is also home to the widow of a Guardia Civil officer murdered by ETA.

A judicial investigation has been launched to quantify the total value of De Juana's assets so that these can be sold off to compensate his victims and their families.

Government first vice-president, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, said yesterday that the government is doing everything possible to protect the victims of terrorism, and will not allow "even the slightest offence."

Commenting on the terrorist's release, president Zapatero admitted that he feels "contempt" for De Juana, but recognises the need "to respect the law."

Related news:

De Juana back on hunger strike after home seized
By: thinkSPAIN
Thursday, July 17, 2008

http://www.thinkspain.com/news/noticia.asp?CodNoticia=15233