Spain's Interior Ministry on Saturday denied a report by national radio that a top leader of the Basque separatist organisation ETA had been arrested near the southwest French city of Bordeaux, AFP reported.
Spanish national radio reported the arrest Saturday quoting anti-terrorist sources.
He was named as Iurgi Meninueta Mintegi, known as "Aitor," who is believed to be the new leader in charge of ETA's commandos.
"Aitor," who was one of the most wanted members of ETA, took over the command of the outlawed organisation's military wing at the end of last year when its top leader "Txeroki" and "Gurbitz" were arrested in France, the radio said.
It said the arrest had been a joint operation by French and Spanish police overnight in a location north of Bordeaux, without saying exactly where.