Madrid - A former leader of Basque separatist party Batasuna was released from prison on Saturday, having served a 15-month sentence for "glorifying" terrorism.

Arnaldo Otegi, 50, was met by dozens of supporters as he left the jail in the northern coastal town of San Sebastian.

He was imprisoned following a failed appeal against charges of glorifying terrorism in a speech praising a member of ETA, the Basque separatist group.

Otegi's detention in June 2007 came days after ETA called off a ceasefire with the Spanish government. He is believed to have been a key figure in the resumption of violent attacks against the Spanish state.

In a statement made upon his release however, Otegi pleaded for a resumption of dialogue to solve the problem of the Basque region's relationship with Spain. "I believe that this problem will only be resolved through dialogue and negotiation," he said.

Batsuna has been banned since 2003 for refusing to formally sever links with ETA, which has waged a 40-year terror campaign for Basque independence in which 823 people have died. (dpa)