Two suspected members of Basque separatist group Eta have been arrested as they headed to Madrid in a truck laden with explosives. Spanish police said they were arrested early on Sunday about 140km outside the Spanish capital, with 500kg of explosives hidden in the vehicle. Government officials believe the men were planning an attack in the lead-up to Spain’s general election. Eta has killed more than 800 people in its campaign since the late 1960s. Earlier this month the group said it was extending its campaign against Spanish tourist targets from the summer season to year round attacks. The BBC’s Katya Adler, in Madrid, says Spain’s anti-terrorist police have been on high alert ahead of elections in two week’s time. “The magnificent efficiency of the Civil Guard has avoided, without question, a massacre,” Interior Minister Angel Acebes told Reuters news agency. “More than 500 kgs of explosives … was a cargo that would have caused an explosion with very serious consequences,” he said. The ruling Popular Party had boasted that they dealt Eta a fatal blow with a string of recent high-profile arrests. Full Story
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