Ana Aizpiri
Leyaristi's brother Sebastian was shot dead by the Basque separatist
group Eta in 1988.
She gave the BBC News website her reaction to the ceasefire announced
by the group on Wednesday.
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My brother's killing followed a campaign
of rumours by Eta against him in which they said he was a drug
trafficker.
But he was nothing of the kind, he was a successful businessman in
the town of Eibar, who belonged to a decent, peaceful and non-political
family.
He owned a restaurant and a butcher shop and was doing really well.
Eta were simply trying to get some money out of him and he would not
give in to them.
If he had paid them or if he had belonged to a political party, he
would still be alive today.
He had been told he was on a list of businessmen who were being
targeted for not agreeing to pay Eta. This was one of their main
financial sources - intimidation.
![]() |
![]() I could have had the men who
killed my brother shot, but I am not them. I am peaceful and
non-violent ![]() |
The
police even offered him protection and he didn't take it.
Perhaps he was a little naive but he genuinely didn't think that he
could be killed.
On 25 May 1988, he left his butcher shop and drove into town. As he
got out of his car he was approached by two men in the street who shot
him three times.
He died instantly. He was 39.
I was at home getting ready to go out when the phone rang. It was one
of Sebastian's friends.
He told me he had been shot. I couldn't believe what he was telling
me. I thought it was a really sick joke at first.
I drove with my other brother to the area where it happened. He was
still lying there in the street.
I knew then that it was real. It was awful and I will never forget
it.
Living in fear
It was especially difficult living in the Basque region afterwards,
hearing all the nationalist talk about independence and the hatred of
anything Spanish.
I have always felt comfortable being Basque-Spanish.
I have never
been in favour of Eta's politics or tactics.
I could have had the men who killed my brother shot, but I am not
them. I am peaceful and non-violent.
I repressed my vindictiveness, which was psychologically bad for me
and I suffered for it.
But I would not resort to their ways. I could not use violence
against anyone.
We lived in fear, not being able to speak out against Eta and their
politics for years.
It took many years until people felt they could demonstrate against
them and not fear they would be intimidated or even killed.
![]() |
![]() I used to be angry with Eta, but
I don't have any anger to waste on them any more ![]() |
My
brother's death had nothing directly to do with politics, he simply
refused to give in to Eta's tactics of intimidation.
But Eta didn't understand the difference and I'm not even sure they
understand it today.
They hold the Basque country as the most cherished region on earth.
But you can't say that if you don't cherish the people who want to
live peacefully within it.
I used to be angry with Eta, but I don't have any anger to waste on
them any more.
I've never brought war to anyone. They brought war to us and declared
war on us.
Now that they have declared a ceasefire, they are the ones who will
have to learn how to change and live peacefully.
But I am sceptical about whether they can. ![]()
