Life sentence confirmed for terrorist

THE High Court has confirmed a 92-year jail sentence for ETA terrorist group leader Eneko Gogeaskoetxea for an attempt on former king Juan Carlos I’s life.

The attempt was thwarted by two Ertzaina police officers who caught Gogeaskoetxea and another member of the KatuKepaArronategi commando unloading a flower pot with a bomb inside it at the entrance to the museum five days before the king was due to visit on October 18 1997.

The terrorist shot one of the officers twice in the heart, killing him instantly, before fleeing the scene, taking two people hostage and stealing three cars during his getaway.

The sentence issued by a National Court back in May which has now been confirmed includes charges of conspiracy against the Crown, manslaughter, illegal detention, coercion, illegal possession of war weapons and guns and faking official documents.