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Basque policeman 'clinically dead'

By CNN Madrid Bureau Chief Al Goodman

Police outside the Daytona bar where Pagazartundua was shot.
Police outside the Daytona bar where Pagazartundua was shot.

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MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- A Basque policeman was declared clinically dead on Saturday after being shot in the head -- an attack Spanish political leaders blamed on a Basque separatist movement, sources said.

Joseba Pagazartundua, 45, was shot in a bar where he regularly ate breakfast in the town of Andoain. He was taken to a hospital where he underwent surgery.

Sources in the Socialist Party, to which Pagazartundua belonged, said his family members authorised the donation of his organs once they determined his wounds would prove fatal, CNN+ reported.

Witnesses said they saw a masked assailant flee in a car.

A Socialist Party leader, Patxi Lopez, told a radio station that Pagazartundua was a member of a leading Basque peace group called "Basta Ya," which translates to "Enough Already," and opposes Basque independence.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the shooting, although many politicians blamed ETA, which is responsible for more than 810 killings in its 34-year fight for Basque independence.

If true, it would be the first killing by ETA this year.


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