I'm upset, I'm angry and I'm going to show my anger tomorrow against this government's decision.
Tomorrow in front of all the city halls of Spain, against ETA, against the government's current policy. Against this madness, alongside the victims.

Ildefonso, Valladolid, Spain

- Rodriguez Galindo Police Chief:Sentenced to 75 years due to the kidnapping and murder of two people. Time in prison: 4 years. Released because of cardiac anarchy
- Julen Elorriaga Representative of the spanish government in the Basque Country:Sentenced to 80 years due to the same reasons. Time in prison: around 3 years.
- Rafael Vera State Secretary:Sentenced to 10 years due to the kidnapping of one people. Time in prison: 8 months. Released due to mental depression.
These are examples of darkly legal releasings during the Partido Popular's government of other murders or terrorists, but of course, you forgot about that because they were heroes in a war against the terrorists of eta...
I do not like eta's thinking nor its way of terror acting, but with basque people there is a second spanish justice. De Juana fulfilled his sentence for the murders, for good or for bad he has paid. The problem has been that spanish politicians tried to find an excuse to mantain him in prison.

Aritz, Getxo, Basque Country

ETA is an organization that pursues independence (separatism) by the means of terrorism. Which of the two features best describes its nature? separatism or terrorism.

CLUE: read the times just for the last time
1)http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/newspapers/sunday_times/britain/article1180259.ece
2)http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article865787.ece
3)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article518120.ece

A DECEIVED READER, Somewhere, in Europe

One of the hardest aspects to stomach when visiting the Spanish Basque Country is the sight of hundreds of banners and posters honouring murderers and asking for their release from prison. You walk into the wrong bar in downtown Bilbao and you find collection pots for money to help ETA's parallel terrorist activities and terrorist families. You walk down the wrong streets and you see portraits of politicians and journalists and judges being targeted. Living in Madrid, you have to listen sympathetically to the stories told by people who have been forced to flee their homeland, because of the continuous extorsion and death threats. Oh it is very easy to see the real picture of the Basque Country. It only takes opening one's eyes. Too strenuous an effort for some, it would appear.

Gil, Madrid, Spain

Once again the Spanish show how weak their leaders are. Why the hell do we cosy alongside them in this European Federation?

billy, Birmingham, England

I feel quite disappointed with this diary because they are trying to manipulate the information regarding De Juana Chaos, as well as they are trying to enhance this person, who is nothing less than a killer.
I want to clarify that at the moment De Juana has not been released; he has been moved from one hospital to another, although it is true that he has been granted some privileges.
And the most important: he is not a hero, but a killer, member of a terrorist group.

Lucía, A Coruña, Spain

I have just seen De Juana Chaos arrive at San Sebastian hospital - walking unaided with no visible sign of debility yet we have to read that he cannot stand up.

Mr Jose Blanco suddenly has found a respect for life, so what about the 28 people murdered by GAL, organised by his party, the PSOE when last in government?

Paco, Madrid, Spain

it is amazing how people that never has speak with any basque, that never have been there, that doesn´t know our history, that doesn´t want to see the reallity can speak about as.

the fact is that PP and PSOE need ETA to exist because without it the real problems of the real Spain (wibthout as, of course!) would appear: the low salarys, the women minstreat, the corruption, the high cost of houses... Because of that all the newspapers are always looking at as in Spain.
We only ask for a referendum, where the basque people, and only the basque, will decide our future. Because nobody of another country is going to say me what to do , how to live, which language to speak or whatever.

Enara, Bilbo, Basque Country

you should all know that last weekend De Juana was caught in a more than "affectionate" attitude with his girlfriend in their room. When she was asked to leave and her bed removed from his room, they both decided to sleep in a blanket in the corridor and that is why he removed the tube through which he is being fed. He can't be that bad. People who have seen him today when he was being transferred to San Sebastian say that he is not as bad as he looks in the pictures. Thank you so much, THE TIMES, for publishing those pictures and giving international coverage to this MURDERER from the TERRORIST group ETA.

Dee, León, spain

What on earth is Zapatero doing taking his pants down to the terrorists. I never believed the rumors but is the goverment afraid that ETA may start talking now that the trials for 11M are on its way?

Javier, Navarra,

Spanish Franquitos are never going to surrender. Fascist PP's are realy angry but not because of De Juana final Court resolution. They want humiliation and revenge. And not only for De Juana but for all the Basq people who don't ever going to think the way they do.
By the way where are the Amedo, Vera, Barrionuevo, Galindo, etc.. They were patriots of "Spanish Nation", never terrorist even if they kill lots of people by the name of "Democracy".
Who suffered the represion in the 70's and 80' in Basq Country. Everybody who borned in euskadi arround those Days.
Where are the TERRORIST in this planet. In the white house, in the pentagon and making "Serious conference" around The States. Where is Rumsfield, Cheney, ...
Stop the Hypocresy. Stop the media Spanish Fascist agenda.
Stop the war in Basq land

Jaime, Dublin, Ireland

As every body can see, Mrs Beatriz Etxegarai is a member or a friend of that terrorist group called itself ETA. All people of spain, incluided Vascongadas, of course, claims to be in peace. Only some crazy people that kill and kidnapp other spanish men that not think the same are the only that says that this horrible and cruel man deserves to be released.

acaymo sanchez, tenerife, spain

After reading this horrible news all over the newspapers from Spain and in the UK, if I was a common criminal on a Spanish jail I will do a hunger strike as well. Since is the best way to have your sentence cut and send home for the remainder of my punishment. The goverment better be ready for more hunger strikes not only from ETA killers but from common thiefs just as well. You can even bring your girlfriend with you!!!
Thanks Mr. Rubalcaba, you have manage to make Spain a little more weaker today in front of the world and ETA. Your master Mr. Zapatero is very proud of you.

F. Bonmati, New Jersey, USA

Ii is shameful that THE TIMES name wrongly ETA as Basque separatist group instance of according to UE classification ETA = TERRORIST GOUP.
This fact point to your lack of profesionalism.

xiato, Bilbao, Spain

A strong government would´nt have ceded to the tricks of a terrorist like Juana de Chaos, and betrayed his victims. But who knows what is happening in Spain?
If De Juana had only shed a tear of repentance, everything would be different. How else can the victims be appeased? It is very difficult to forgive.

luis fueyo, madrid, spain

He was hardly likely to die in jail whilst he was being force-fed was he? On one occasion recently his girlfriend had to be forcibly removed from his bed in prison. This doesn't sound to me like a man on the verge of death. I'm afraid, and I am convinced now, more than ever, this is all part of the price Mr.Zapatero has to pay for the silence of the Etarras over the assistance he got from ETA to oust the Partido Popular and get voted into power by the impeccably timed terrorist attack of the 11th March 2004. The government cover up of this is still going on 3 years after the event.

Richard, Alicante, Spain

What a howling shame!. Finally, Zapatero surrended Spain against the terrorists. Today i feel is the worst day in Spain Democracy since the 23-F 1981.
Just because of this, I would never give my vote to the PSOE, never ever!.
By the way, I do not understand the very high hypocrite way to call ETA a "separatist group". They are "TERRORISTS"!!!.
I can not understand why this newspaper do not refers to ETA like "Terrorist Group". I cannot imagine the very brave and admired British People calling ETA like a "separatist group".
Which are the TIMES reasons to betray the "Spanish People" dignity in such disgusting way ???

Víctor , Den Haag, The Netherlands

If someone kills this monster tomorrow he could also be hunger-strike for a few days and after go home????
-Spain is different.

Mike, London,

De Juana had completed his 25 years in prison and should have been taken out in that moment, was 2005, as the spanish law sentences but the justice minister said that was going to make any effort in their hands to keep him in, So did they. this is a fact. that's spanish justice! That's not democracy!

Urko, Gasteiz, Basque country,

Why is it so difficult to call ETA terrorists?Are they not made from the same mold that IRA, Al Qaeda, Shining Path and the others?

The main objective of Batasuna, ETA and the PNV is to impose a Basque dictatorship where there is a Spanish democracy now.

Eduardo, Madrid, Spain

Come on!!! He has killed 25 people and, in his own words, "the pain of the victims is my happiness".
In second place, his hunger strike was his own decision and only with one year left to be freed. I agree in sending home prisoners with terminal deseases but actually this is not the same situation. Why shouldn't we do the same with all criminals who trie to suicide or hurt themselves every day in prisons all over the world? They are, as well, in danger of death, so release them!
He´s been in prison 9.6 months for each killing (25 killings=20 years), so he should be happy for that: it is a very low price. As you can see, I disagree about releasing this "person" and I think it's a shame for the democratic system, no matter it happens in Spain, the UK or Mars.

James Morris, Santander, Spain

It is interesting how society over compensates from time to time. At one time killing a single person, especially a police man, would have resulted in a death penalty, this person killed 25 (according to the article)and only got 18+ years. Based on his own two articles in the paper I would assume he is unrepentant and would possibly do the same today. Society should stand strong against terrorists, and not treat them with pity, they do not appreciate it.

greg panke, Orangeville, Canada

He is a criminal and should be in jail, not for any stupid threads but for killing 25 people!!!! Jail is also where all the rest of criminals should be. If he recovers and then goes back to killing inocent people it will be too late and more damage will be done.

Elena, Madrid, Spain

First of all, Spain is a democratic country where everybody can express his idea with complete freedom except in Vascongadas region, now wrongly called Vasque Country because it has never been a country, where if you think different from those who support the use violence you can be killed.

Its true that in Spain exist torture but this is used by ETA members when they blackmail, threaten, kidnap people like businessmen, policemen or politician, in fact, much of them have to live with bodyguard service.

De Juana Chaos killed 25 persons and when he was serving his sentence, a very short sentence, he was glad and asked champagne to toast when somebody were killed by one of his ETA friends.

I think that this guy should be in jail all his life because he will never regret of his acts

pepe perez, barcelona, SPAIN

First of all we should make an effort to call things by the right name:
- ETA is a TERRORIST group, who has killed more than 800 persons
- De Juan Chaos is a killer, member of a Terrorist group: 25 persons cannot be now at their homes as he's trying to be.
- His current situation (the fact of being ill) is caused only by him and his acts. And if tomorrow all persons in jail decide to strike, what?

Xito, Athens, Greece

I would like to say, first of all, that Mr. De Juana Chaos has NOT been released: He has been "moved" from one hospital in Madrid (as he cannot be taken care of in jail) to another hospital in Donostia, but he is still "in prison" -he will be under "continous telematic surveillance" of the Martutene Prison in Donostia. The reason for this "change", according to the Spanish Government, is that he had a year left to finish the prision sentence. But I would say his being about to enter coma has been the only reason, as if Mr. De Juana Chaos dies, the situation here and in Spain will considerably change. I just hope he is freed soon, as he has already fulfilled the sentence he was imprisoned for.

Beatriz Etxegarai, Irun, Basque Country

From my point of view the decision taken has been correct. It's a very brave measure from the part of the ministry, saying that the difference between terrorists and those who aren't is that for those who aren't the most important thing is LIFE.

Inés, Toledo, Spain

Hpefully he can die in peace at home......soon.

igor, Madrid, España

I think he shouldn't have been sentenced for writing two articles in the newspaper Gara in the first place. Anyway, by sending him home, the Spanish Government is doing the right thing. There may be a chance for peace and justice in the Basque Country and the Times has made a great contribution to it by “breaking the wall of silence”. There are many other issues that people don’t know or don’t want to talk about such as the case of torture, banning of political activities and systematic cuts on civil liberties. Spanish politics and media are still controlled by former francoists. We need help from the outside. Please keep talking, help Spain.

kiko moraiz, London, UK

He should have been released some years ago. Zapatero and PSOE should have resisted PP´s pressure, but they didn´t, as usual, and they have turned the whole de Juana affair into a farse. It´s like a referee making up for a mistake with another one, and then another one.

All´s well that ends well, but we should have been spared all that circus

pep, Barcelona, Catalonia

He has forfeited his choice by his crime. Force feed him to keep him alive until his trelease date.

Nick Jones, Folkestone, UK