MADRID, Spain – A judge has charged the suspected leader of the Basque separatist group ETA with plotting an attack on the America's Cup sailing race last year in Valencia, Spain.
Judge Baltasar Garzon says Mikel de Garikoitz Aspiazu sent another suspected ETA member to Valencia to gather information on the city's port, ceremonies to be held in connection with the race and delegations that were to attend.
Aspiazu was arrested last week in France.
Garzon says in an indictment issued Wednesday that the emissary, Iker Agirre, was arrested in January 2007 as he entered Spain from France, en route to Valencia. The race was held in June and July.
The judge charged the two men with belonging to a terrorist organization and conspiracy to commit murder.
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