Status in France
Batasuna has a minor presence in the Basque French country, where it runs elections as a civic organization, not like a political party. It has not reached any kind of representation at either local or regional level so far.
In September 2008, 14 people were detained by the French police, 10 of whom were from the French-wing of the party (including their spokesman Xabi Larralde), and charged with links to ETA. They were released four days later, but it remains unclear whether the ongoing investigation would lead to an illegalization process similar to that in Spain.
Read more about this topic: Batasuna
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Policemen so cherish their status as keepers of the peace and protectors of the public that they have occasionally been known to beat to death those citizens or groups who question that status.”
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