/europe
MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- A Basque businessman was shot and killed Wednesday in northern Spain, CNN+ reported, the first attack since last month's arrest of the leader of the Basque separatist group ETA.
CNN's sister network reported the killing happened in the Basque town of Azpeitia, about 35 miles east of Bilbao.
A police official identified the victim as Ignacio Uria Mendizabal, age 71, The Associated Press reported.
He worked for a construction company involved in a project to build high-speed railways in the Basque region of northern Spain, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with department rules, AP reported.
Media reports speculated the killing was in retaliation for the arrest last month of Mikel de Garikoitz Aspiazu, captured two weeks ago during an anti-terrorism raid in France.
Spanish Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said Aspiazu was considered to be ETA's top military chief, in charge of ordering attacks, as well as the group's policy leader.
Aspiazu was wanted in connection with the shooting deaths of two plainclothes Spanish Civil Guards a year ago while the officers were on an anti-ETA investigation in France. He is thought to have been the ETA commander who trained and sent operatives to carry out attacks.
ETA is blamed for more than 800 deaths in its long fight for Basque independence.
Top Spanish officials warned after Aspiazu's arrest that ETA had not lost its ability to attack.
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