In London on Sunday (20th December) a thousand demonstrators joined a rally protesting against the Basque trial in Spain. Many attempted to break through police cordons, and arrests followed.

The Basque sympathiser carried many large banners and placards as they made their way through the city from Whitehall to the Spanish Embassy in Portland Place. A Spanish republican flag was burned outside the embassy, and about 400 of the demonstrators tried to break through strong police cordons. In the scuffles which followed, the police arrested at least five men for threatening behaviour and assault.

The Spanish Government's answer to widespread international criticism of the Basques' court martial at Burgos will be given in a major speech to the Madrid Parliament by the country's Vice-President on Monday (21st December). The panel of judges at Burgos is believed to have reached a verdict two weeks ago, but there's no indication yet when the decision will be made public.