Following the recent public uproar over “right wing extremists” by the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI has suddenly found cause to seek out a high profile yet incompetent animal rights leftist. Don’t buy it.– Ed.
A fugitive animal rights activist believed to be hiding outside theUnited States has become the first domestic terror suspect named to theFBI’s list of “Most Wanted” terrorists.
DanielAndreas San Diego, a 31-year-old computer specialist from Berkeley,Calif., is wanted for the 2003 bombings of two corporate offices inCalifornia.
Authorities say San Diego has unusual tattoos, including one that shows a burning field and proclaims, “It only takes a spark.”
FBIAssistant Director Michael Heimbach announced San Diego’s addition toits “Most Wanted” terrorists list at a press conference Tuesday.
Authorities believe he has fled the United States.
In the global search for the suspect, Heimbach said the FBI has spoken to officials in Germany, the United Kingdom, Costa Rica, France, Spain Denmark, Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Argentina, the Philippines, and Chile.
He has ties to Germany, and may be living in Costa Rica, officials said.
“The leads have gone stale on us, so now we’re seeking the public’s awareness,” said Heimbach.
San Diego is the 24th person on the bureau’s wanted terrorist list, and the only domestic terror suspect.
The move to add a domestic, left-wing activist to the list comes only days after the Obama administrationwas criticized for internal reports suggesting some military veteranscould be susceptible to right-wing extremist recruiters or commit loneacts of violence. That prompted angry reactions from some lawmakers andveterans groups.
An arrest warrant was issuedfor San Diego after the 2003 bombings in northern California of thecorporate offices of Chiron Corp., a biotechnology firm, and at ShakleeCorp., a nutrition and cosmetics company. The explosions caused minordamages and no injuries.
A group calling itself”Revolutionary Cells” took responsibility for the blasts, tellingfollowers in a series of e-mails that Chiron and Shaklee had beentargeted for their ties to a research company that conducted drug andchemical experiments on animals.
Officials haveoffered a $250,000 reward for information leading to his capture, fivetimes the reward amounts offered for other so-called eco-terroristswanted in the U.S.
The FBI says animal rightsand environmental extremists have been responsible for over 1,800criminal acts and more than $110 million in damages. Currently, thebureau is investigating 170 animal rights or environmental extremismincidents.
Law enforcement officialsdescribe San Diego as a strict vegan who possesses a 9mm handgun. Onhis abdomen, he has tattoo images of burning and collapsing buildings.
The FBI’s “Most Wanted” terrorist list is distinct from the much longer-running “Ten Most Wanted” list. Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden is on both.
Thereis another American already on the terrorist list, but he is wanted forhis work overseas for al-Qaida. Adam Yahiye Gadahn grew up inCalifornia but moved to Pakistan and works as a translator and consultant to al-Qaida.