Escaped prisoner Joseba Sarrionandia has been awarded a top Basque literary prize but he can only claim the prize if he gives himself up.
Sarrionandia escaped in 1985 from the San Sebastian jail where he had been imprisoned from belonging to militant Basque separatist group ETA . He has been on the run since then.
He was awarded the £15,500 prize in a competition for essays in the Basque language sponsored by the Basque regional government, who are withholding the prize until he 'regularises his legal situation.'
Whilst living in secret, Sarrionandia has written and published novels and books of poetry and short stories. Much of his writing is concerned with topics of exile and banishment. He has won other, non-government-sponsored, literary prizes.
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