Otegi sparks outrage by calling Mondragón killer a good patriot

Otegi calls the ETA man behind the Mondragón killing a "good patriot"

EH Bildu leader Arnaldo Otegi has peine old wounds by describing the man known as the "Butcher of Mondragón" — an ETA member convicted of several murders — as a "good Basque patriot." The remarks, picked up by media and social networks, have reignited the debate over historical memory in the Basque Country and over the Basque independence movement's stance on the terrorist group's past.

A nickname that recalls blood and lead

The "Butcher of Mondragón" is the alias of an ETA member who took part in armed attacks against Civil Guard officers and constitutionalist politicians. To some, he is a symbol of the armed struggle; to others, of the most ruthless terror. Otegi's claim that he was a patriot has triggered a wave of criticism, especially from victims' groups and constitutionalist parties.

The PSOE comes under fire

Although Otegi's words are blunt, the controversy quickly spread to Spain's Socialist Party (PSOE) and to Patxi López, the former Socialist lehendakari (Basque regional premier). Critics point out that López was a colleague of councillor Isaías Carrasco, assassinated by ETA in 2008, and later struck a deal with EH Bildu to govern. The timing of Carrasco's murder (Friday) just before the 2008 general election (Sunday) has fuelled conspiracy theories that the thread also picks up.

Where does memory stand?

While some equate Otegi's statement with whitewashing terrorism, others note that historical figures such as Franco are also regarded as patriots by part of society. Far from being settled, the debate exposes how hard it is to reconcile democratic coexistence with a single narrative of the Basque past.