MADRID-An alleged member of ETA had hidden a sniper rifle inside a tennis racket and was targeting leading politicians and officers from the security forces soon, police sources said. The would-be assassin was like the fictional paid killer brought to life British author Frederic Forsyth in his book 'The Day of the Jackal', which was made into a film. In the book, The Jackal tries to kill French president Jacques de Gaulle in Paris.
In real life, Javier Pérez Aldenate, an alleged leading member of the Basque terrorist organisation, was arrested on Saturday in Basauri, in the Basque Country. When police raided his home, they found information about
politicians and members of the police and Guardia Civil. They also seized a rifle with a telescopic sight , typically used by a sniper, and a Chinese-made pistol.
Pérez Aldenate had allegedly prepared a tennis-jacket holder in which to hide the rifle, police sources said. It had been dismantled in three pieces to make it easier to carry. He also allegedly put a tennis ball inside to make it seem like a normal tennis racket. The rifle was a Thompson 7 mm, which could be taken apart. The pistol was a Chinese 9 mm, inside which was inscribed 'ETA 2002'. Investigators were trying to establish if the pistol or the rifle had been used.
Police also found detonators, timers and other apparatus used to plant and set-off bombs. There were also maps of the Basque Country and other tourist areas of Spain. Pérez Aldenate was said to have had some false documents to allow him to travel around the country without being arrested. |