It has been four decades since the tragedy that shook the Basque Country (País Vasco) and all of Spain. The family of Mikel Zabalza still does not know exactly what happened to their loved one after he was detained. Despite years of waiting, the hope of discovering the truth has not faded, but any trust that the authorities will help shed light on the events has all but vanished.
In November 1985, the region was gripped by tension: armed clashes, attacks, and fear were part of everyday life. On the night of November 26, officers from the Guardia Civil detained 32-year-old bus driver Mikel Zabalza in the Altza district of San Sebastián (San Sebastián). Just a day earlier, two deadly explosions had rocked the region, for which ETA claimed responsibility.
That same night, Zabalza’s relatives were also arrested, including his girlfriend Idoia Aierbe. All of them were taken to the Intxaurrondo barracks, where they were held in complete isolation under anti-terrorism legislation. Mikel’s mother, Garbiñe Garate, tried to find out what had happened to her son but received only a cold reply: “Ask in the lost and found office.”
Discovery of the Body and Early Suspicions
Mikel Zabalza’s body was found twenty days after his arrest. It surfaced in the river, at a spot that had already been thoroughly searched by rescue teams. His hands were bound with handcuffs. Both the family and the public were left without answers: how and under what circumstances Mikel died, and who is responsible—these questions remain unresolved to this day.
From the very beginning, there were suspicions that Mikel’s death resulted from torture at the Inchaurrondo barracks. Testimonies from other detainees indicated the use of asphyxiation methods — plastic bags and water immersion. However, all attempts to prompt an investigation proved fruitless.
In 2010, the provincial court of Gipuzkoa closed the case without filing charges against any of those involved. Sabalsa’s family stresses: Mikel was neither a member nor a supporter of ETA. “He was taken alive and returned dead — that’s the only truth,” his mother said, words that became the basis for the documentary film “Non dago Mikel?”.
Secret documents and the family’s demands
In 2021, audio emerged in the media of a conversation between former high-ranking military officials, in which one of them openly said: “The Sabalsa case is when they went too far during an interrogation.” Despite this, the official documents in the case remain classified, and authorities are in no hurry to release them.
The governments of the Basque Country and Navarre recognized Sabalsa as a victim of police violence. In 2020, he was honored at an official ceremony in San Sebastián, where, for the first time, representatives of all political parties gathered. The official report from the regional government confirmed: Sabalsa’s death was violent and classified as murder.
Nevertheless, the family and civil society organizations continue to insist on the need to clarify all the circumstances. Nationalist parties regularly demand that Spain’s central authorities declassify materials related to the case. However, the Official Secrets Act, passed back in 1968, still does not allow access to these documents.
Political debates and public memory
In recent years, the question of declassifying the Sabalsa case files has once again become a focal point in political debates. Representatives of the PNV and EH Bildu have repeatedly appealed to the government, demanding it fulfill its promise and amend the secrets law. They accuse the authorities of failing to deliver on the promised reform, leaving the family and society still deprived of the right to know the truth.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, in response to these demands, points to the need for a parliamentary majority to adopt the new version of the law. However, the opposition believes the government can make the decision to declassify on its own, if there is enough political will.
Mikel’s sister, Idoia Sabalsa, is convinced that somewhere information is being kept that could shed light on the events of 1985. The family has appealed to the prosecutor’s office and the interior ministry, but received no support. According to her, the lack of investigation is not a matter of law, but of the authorities’ willingness.
Remembering Sabalsa and the struggle for truth
These days, cities in the Basque Country and Navarra are holding commemorative events dedicated to Mikel Zabalza. A bus resembling the one he used to drive runs through the streets, featuring an exhibition inside that tells the story of his life and tragic death. His family and activists insist it’s important that this story is not forgotten.
The Zabalza family continues to fight for truth and justice. For them, this is not only a personal tragedy but also a symbol of the struggle for transparency and respect for human life in modern Spain. As long as the documents remain classified and the government stays silent, the question of Mikel Zabalza’s death remains unresolved.
