US fugitive could be forced to join prison gang - court

A reward of $250,000 (£199,000) was offered for information leading to the arrest of Daniel San Diego

A suspected terrorist wanted by the FBI for more than 20 years before being found in Wales may have to join a criminal gang for protection in prison, a court has heard.

Daniel Andreas San Diego, 47, was one of the agency's "most wanted fugitives" after bombings in San Francisco, California, in 2003, allegedly linked to an animal rights extremist group.

He was arrested last November in a remote location near Maenan, Conwy county, where he had been living under a false identity.

The extradition hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court will decide if he will be sent back to the United States to face trial where he could face decades in prison.

On 28 August 2003, two bombs exploded about one hour apart on the campus of the Chiron biotechnology corporation in Emeryville, California, the FBI previously said.

A month later, on 26 September 2003, one bomb strapped with nails exploded at the Shaklee nutritional products corporation in Pleasanton, California.

Mr San Diego was indicted in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, in 2004, charged with causing damage by explosives at Chiron and Shaklee, and possession of explosives during the alleged offences.

Under a subsequent indictment, new counts were added including charges of "using or carrying an explosive device to commit a felony", the extradition hearing was told.

Daniel Andreas San Diego was on the FBI's most wanted terrorist list alongside Osama Bin Laden

Defending, Mark Summers KC, said Mr San Diego would enter a US Bureau of Prisons facility that is "beset" by serious violence and "unable to protect himself" if he is sentenced to long-term imprisonment.

"For a Caucasian inmate such as Daniel Andreas San Diego, white supremacist gangs represent the only option for protection," he added.

Mr Summers said the alternative was long-term protective custody in a specialised housing unit which he labelled "barely less oppressive" as it could mean prolonged isolation.

Mr Summers previously told the court that Mr San Diego could face a "90-year sentence" if there was a terrorism enhancement and he was convicted.

Nicole English, who formerly worked for the US Bureau of Prisons, told the court Mr San Diego would be "vulnerable" given his lack of experience inside a prison environment.

Prosecutor Joel Smith KC, representing the US authorities, asked Ms English if an individual fearing for their safety can ask staff for protection.

She replied: "Yes."

Mr Smith told the court that the US government announced an increase in its funding of prisons earlier this year.

The FBI previously said Mr San Diego, who was born in Berkeley, California, had "ties" to an animal rights extremist group and there was a reward of $250,000 (£198,000) for information leading directly to his arrest.

The extradition hearing has been adjourned until 8 December.