Madrid, Aug 30, SPA -- A former leader of Basque separatist party Batasunawas released from prison on Saturday, having served a 15-monthsentence for "glorifying" terrorism, reported dpa. Arnaldo Otegi, 50, was met by dozens of supporters as he left thejail in the northern coastal town of San Sebastian. He was imprisoned following a failed appeal against charges ofglorifying terrorism in a speech praising a member of ETA, the Basqueseparatist group. Otegi's detention in June 2007 came days after ETA called off aceasefire with the Spanish government. He is believed to have been akey figure in the resumption of violent attacks against the Spanishstate. In a statement made upon his release however, Otegi pleaded for aresumption of dialogue to solve the problem of the Basque region'srelationship with Spain. "I believe that this problem will only beresolved through dialogue and negotiation," he said. Batsuna has been banned since 2003 for refusing to formally severlinks with ETA, which has waged a 40-year terror campaign for Basqueindependence in which 823 people have died.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/586029