Irrintzi is an armed
Basque nationalist group or cell that acts in the
Northern Basque Country (
Basque
Basque may refer to:
* Basques, an ethnic group of Spain and France
* Basque language, their language
Places
* Basque Country (greater region), the homeland of the Basque people with parts in both Spain and France
* Basque Country (autonomous co ...
: ''Iparralde''). The word ''irrintzi'' refers originally to the traditional Basque folk high-pitched scream used to express celebration or happiness.
The first known action of Irrintzi was sabotage in 2006 around
Bayonne (including a bomb against the summer house of the French Minister of the Interior
Michèle Alliot-Marie
Michèle Yvette Marie-Thérèse Jeanne Honorine Alliot-Marie (; born 10 September 1946), known in France as MAM, is a French politician and Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from France. She is a member of the Republicans, part of the Eu ...
). Since then, the organization has attacked railroads, tourist sites, and political party headquarters, mainly by bomb. The
Monégasque chef
Alain Ducasse
Alain Ducasse (; born 13 September 1956) is a French-born Monégasque chef. He operates a number of restaurants including Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester which holds three stars (the top rating) in the Michelin Guide.
Early life and career
...
, with a restaurant near
Biarritz, was accused by Irrintzi of being a speculator and of "folklorising" the Basque Country, and was forced to leave the Basque Country due to the constant attacks that his restaurant suffered. Their declarations are usually closed by the slogan "Euskal Herria ez da salgai" (The Basque Country is not for sale). This calling card was found in more than 30 attacks against tourist targets during 2007.
Nuevo ataque a agencias inmobiliarias en Iparralde
References
External links
Irrintzi´s declaration of April 19th
Irrintzi´s second declaration of April 19th
Basque politics
Politics of France
Clandestine groups
Paramilitary organizations based in France
Northern Basque Country
{{Activism-stub