Name of leader Mikel Albizu (Antza)
Organization ETA
Conflict country Spain
Gender Male
Year of birth 1961[1]
Place of birth San Sebastian, Spain[2]
Year of death N/A
Deceased
No, there is no evidence he has died.
Birth order
He is the eldest of four.[3]
Age at start of rebel leadership
In 1992, so age 31.[4]
Leader entry method
It appears he was designated or appointed the leadership position after the arrest of the head leaders in Bidart.[5]
Powersharing
No, there is no evidence of powersharing.
Education (also name universities attended, if any); note any relevant experiences while a student
He studied Philology at the University of Nanterre and was active in the Basque ‘Argia”.[6][7]
Ever married? If yes, age of first marriage
No, he just had a partner.[8]
Children
Yes, they have a daughter.[9]
Religious identification
He is Christian.[10]
Elite Family background
No, he was born “within a nationalist family of liberal professionals who resided in the district of San Sebastian's old capital.”[11]
Political affiliations and intellectual circles; note any relevant social connections made
No, as his past affiliations were only related to the ETA.
Physical and mental health
No, there is no evidence of poor physical or mental health.
Pre-militant leader occupation
He was a writer.[12]
Experience in a state military, and role; any relevant social ties
No, there is no evidence of experience in a state military.
Experience in a nonstate military, and role; any relevant social ties
No, there is no evidence of experience in a nonstate military.
Combat experience prior to assuming resistance organization leadership?
No, “Albisu's ascension into the Eretz Ladder is not, as in other cases, tied to blood crimes, and, in fact, he has not been accused of having participated in any.”[13]
Held government position prior to assuming leadership?
No, there is no evidence he held a government position.
Lived in exile?
No, there is no evidence he lived in exile.
Study abroad?
Yes, he studied in France.[14]
Did the leader receive military training abroad?
No, there is no evidence of military training abroad.
Did the leader have extensive work experience abroad?
No, there is no evidence he had extensive work experience abroad.
Serve time in prison? Social connections during that time?
No, because he was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2010 after being leader.[15]
Was there an assassination attempt on the leader by the state?
No, there is no evidence of an assassination attempt by the state.
Cause of Death?
N/A
Primary language, and other languages spoken as adult
He likely speaks at least Basque, and he may also speak Spanish also.[16]
[1] Image Credit: http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40138000/jpg/_40138164_041003etabody1.jpg
(For non-commercial use, all credits belong to the original owners, please contact for removal)
"'Mikel Antza', el cerebro de ETA" ['Mikel Antza', brain ETA], elmundo.es, Accessed January 21, 2017, http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2004/10/03/espana/1096804133.html
[2] "'Mikel Antza', el cerebro de ETA" ['Mikel Antza', brain ETA], elmundo.es, Accessed January 21, 2017, http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2004/10/03/espana/1096804133.html
[3] "'Mikel Antza', el cerebro de ETA" ['Mikel Antza', brain ETA], elmundo.es, Accessed January 21, 2017, http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2004/10/03/espana/1096804133.html
[4] "'Mikel Antza', el cerebro de ETA" ['Mikel Antza', brain ETA], elmundo.es, Accessed January 21, 2017, http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2004/10/03/espana/1096804133.html
[5] Gastaminza, Genoveva. "De la estrategia de la negociación al desbordamiento del Estado"[From the strategy of negotiation to state overflow], EL PAÍS, October 03, 2004, Accessed January 21, 2017, http://elpais.com/diario/2004/10/04/espana/1096840802_850215.html.
[6] Gastaminza, Genoveva. "De la estrategia de la negociación al desbordamiento del Estado"[From the strategy of negotiation to state overflow], EL PAÍS, October 03, 2004, Accessed January 21, 2017, http://elpais.com/diario/2004/10/04/espana/1096840802_850215.html.
[7] "'Mikel Antza', el cerebro de ETA" ['Mikel Antza', brain ETA], elmundo.es, Accessed January 21, 2017, http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2004/10/03/espana/1096804133.html
[8] The Associated Press, Vast Police Operation Nets Suspected ETA Leader, HAARETZ, October 3, 2004, Accessed June 12, 2017, http://www.haaretz.com/news/vast-police-operation-nets-suspected-eta-leader-1.136377.
[9] The Associated Press, Vast Police Operation Nets Suspected ETA Leader, HAARETZ, October 3, 2004, Accessed June 12, 2017, http://www.haaretz.com/news/vast-police-operation-nets-suspected-eta-leader-1.136377.
[10] "Religions," Central Intelligence Agency, Accessed January 30, 2017, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html.
[11] "'Mikel Antza', el cerebro de ETA" ['Mikel Antza', brain ETA], elmundo.es, Accessed January 21, 2017, http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2004/10/03/espana/1096804133.html
[12] Gastaminza, Genoveva. "De la estrategia de la negociación al desbordamiento del Estado"[From the strategy of negotiation to state overflow], EL PAÍS, October 03, 2004, Accessed January 21, 2017, http://elpais.com/diario/2004/10/04/espana/1096840802_850215.html.
[13] "'Mikel Antza', el cerebro de ETA" ['Mikel Antza', brain ETA], elmundo.es, Accessed January 21, 2017, http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2004/10/03/espana/1096804133.html
[14] Gastaminza, Genoveva. "De la estrategia de la negociación al desbordamiento del Estado"[From the strategy of negotiation to state overflow], EL PAÍS, October 03, 2004, Accessed January 21, 2017, http://elpais.com/diario/2004/10/04/espana/1096840802_850215.html.
[15] Barca, Antonio Jiménez, "Francia condena a los ex dirigentes etarras Mikel Antza y Soledad Iparraguirre a 20 años de cárcel” [France condemns former ETA leaders Mikel Antza and Soledad Iparraguirre to 20 years in prison], EL PAÍS, December 17, 2010, Accessed January 21, 2017. http://elpais.com/elpais/2010/12/17/actualidad/1292577445_850215.html.
[16] Rijk, Rudolf P.G. de, and Luis Michelena, "Basque language," Encyclopædia Britannica, February 19, 2009, Accessed January 21, 2017, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Basque-language.