Authorities and citizens' last goodbye to Juan Manuel Piñuel

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Juan Manuel Piñuel's coffin entering the church. Photo: EiTB

Funeral services have been held for a Spanish policeman killed in a car bomb attack blamed on the Basque separatist group ETA.

A large group of political and institutional figures have attended Juan Manuel Piñuel's, the Spanish policeman killed by the Basque armed group ETA in Legutio (Álava), at the funeral which has taken place at the new in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Basque Prime Minister Juan José Ibarretxe, Spanish Government's Deputy Prime Minister María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, Interior Minister Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, the Prince and Princess of Asturias and high ranking officers of the Spanish police have been some of the people attending the funeral services for the Spanish policeman.

A crowd outside the cathedral in the Basque capital Vitoria applauded as the casket carrying the body of Juan Manuel Piñuel was carried into the church, and again when it was brought back out after the service. Clapping at funerals is a traditional way to show respect for the deceased.

Following the family’s wishes the temple’s doors have been shut and media has not been allowed to attend the funeral.

The corpse will be now taken to Malaga, where his family lives and will be buried at 16:00.

At Thursday's service the bishop of Vitoria, Miguel Asurmendi, condemned the car bombing and asked, "is this the way to serve the Basque people?" Pinuel was 41. He leaves behind a widow and a six-year-old son. His coffin was draped with the red and yellow Spanish flag.