Spanish businessman shot in Basque country

A Spanish businessman has been shot dead in a suspected attack by the armed Basque separatist group ETA.

The victim was shot in the town of Azpeitia. Officials say he was a manager at a company that makes tracks for highspeed railway lines in the Basque country. It is reported the company had previously been threatened by ETA.

Railway construction in the region has also been targeted with attacks, including sabotage. ETA claims locals have had no say on the matter and there are few benefits for the region.

The separatist group has often protested against construction projects in the region, including those they say damage the environment. Officials have named the victim of today’s attack as Ignacio Uria Mendizabal.