The proceedings against Bernadó originated in 2001. On that occasion, the Civil Guard carried out a police operation against ETA’s Barcelona command. At that time Laura Irrigation, Diego Sánchez or Zigor Larredonda were arrested, but Bernadó fled. He was arrested in Quézac, Occitania, in 2006. He has been in prison for twelve and a half years, until he was released on 3 June by court order. But France handed it over to the Spanish police.

The detainee was transferred by the National Police to the National High Court, where he was arrested. The judge decreed provisional liberty with precautionary measures to Bernadó, who was released during the trial. The trial for these facts was finally held this Tuesday at the National Hearing.

Collaboration or membership

After speaking with Bernadó’s defense, Direct has reported that the trial has focused on the debate between the crimes of collaboration and cooperation. The defence argues that Bernadó was a member of ETA, that his crime has been tried in the French State, so the defendant has already served the sentence. The same offence cannot be punished twice by law. The defense has presented evidence that it is a "complaint" by the organization. The Prosecutor’s Office has taken an extraordinary stand and has lowered the indictment against Bernadó, accused of collaborating with ETA in the attack. The Prosecutor’s Office considers that the crimes of collaboration and cooperation are different and that it would then be possible to punish Bernadó as the alleged perpetrator of a crime. The defence considers that, in any case, collaboration would be included in the crime of belonging that has already been tried.

The judgment is expected to be passed by July or September.