Two policemen injured in pro-ETA riots
Two Spanish policemen have been injured, one of them critically, after being ambushed by youths demonstrating in Bilbao in support of the Basque separatist group ETA.
Mobs of youths have been taking to the streets throughout the Basque country this weekend in support of Basque independence from Spain.
The two officers injured today were treated for burns after their unmarked car was attacked with rocks, petrol-bombs and acid.
The Basque Efe news agency quoted police as saying that 13 unexploded Molotov cocktails were found in the Bilbao suburb of Portugalete after the attack. Moments later, in the same suburb, youths set fire to a local bank.
Four bank branches and cash dispensers were also firebombed earlier last night in the nearby town of Markina.
Several youth organisations have been waging an escalating campaign of street violence in recent days in support of ETA, which has been fighting for Basque independence for 30 years.
