As reported by the FBI, an alleged animal rights extremist on the U.S. most-wanted terrorist list since 2009 in link with the bombing of a California biotechnology company has been apprehended in the United Kingdom. The alleged terrorist, Daniel Andreas San Diego, was arrested in Wales in an operation executed by Britain’s National Crime Agency, Counter Terrorism Policing, and the North Wales Police in coordination with the FBI.
San Diego was indicted in connection with a bomb blast at biotechnology business Chiron Inc. near Oakland, California, in August 2003. A second bomb discovered there was deactivated by authorities and possibly planned to target first responders. Authorities charge San Diego with planting a third bomb at another California business a month later. No one was harmed in any of the incidents, the FBI said.
A group calling itself the Revolutionary Cells swore responsibility for the episodes in statements posted to a pro-animal rights website, noting the targeted firms’ alleged ties to Huntingdon Life Sciences, which had been criticized by animal rights activists over its usage of animal testing and is now part of the firm Inotiv. In 2004, a federal grand jury returned an accusation charging San Diego with two counts of destroying or trying to destroy property with explosives and two counts of use of a dangerous device in a crime of violence.
The FBI has stated that San Diego openly expressed extreme statements advocating the use of violence to achieve the purposes of the animal rights movement. FBI Director Christopher Wray said the detention showed that no matter how long a suspect is on the run, the bureau would not stop its pursuit.
“There’s a right way and a wrong way to express your views in our country, and turning to violence and destruction of property is not the right way.”
Wray stated.
