20-plus officials of banned party held

Spanish police detained more than 20 senior members of an outlawed Basque party that is considered to be the political wing of the armed separatist group ETA.

The Batasuna party officials were arrested in the northern town of Segura on the order of Spain’s National Court, a police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity in accordance with force policy.

Spanish news reports said anti-terrorism judge Baltasar Garzon issued the order.

Police raided a building where 22 members of Batasuna’s leadership were meeting, the newspaper El Pais said on its website. It was unclear what charges, if any, they would face. The party has been outlawed since 2003.