US animal rights activist fights extradition from UK over 2003 bombings

By Sam Tobin

LONDON (Reuters) -An alleged animal rights extremist fighting extradition from Britain to the U.S. over bombings linked to animal testing could be at risk of political interference from the Trump administration, his lawyer told a London court on Monday.

U.S. citizen Daniel San Diego, 47, is accused in relation to bombings in California in 2003, with the so-called Revolutionary Cells of the Animal Liberation Brigade claiming responsibility. No one was injured in either of the incidents.

San Diego was found in Wales last November, having been on the FBI's most-wanted terrorist list since 2009 – the first domestic terrorist on the list, alongside the likes of late al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

The first bombing targeted biotechnology firm Chiron Inc. near Oakland, California, in August 2003. Authorities responding to the blast found a second bomb, which the FBI said may have been planted to target first responders.

The Animal Liberation Brigade said in a statement at the time: "This is the endgame for the animal killers and if you choose to stand with them you will be dealt with accordingly."

A month later, a nail bomb detonated outside nutritional products company Shaklee, in an attack also claimed by the Animal Liberation Brigade.

Joel Smith, a lawyer representing the U.S. authorities, told London's Westminster Magistrates' Court that the two companies targeted had links to British firm Huntingdon Life Sciences, which was long the focus of both lawful and criminal protests for testing pharmaceuticals, chemicals and dyes on animals.

Smith said a copy of the magazine to which the Animal Liberation Brigade sent its statements was found in San Diego's house and ingredients for improvised explosive devices were found in his car.

San Diego sat in the dock as his lawyer Mark Summers said he should not be extradited, in part because of "the political capture of the criminal justice system" and the U.S. Department of Justice under President Donald Trump.

He also said he would rely on evidence from David Patton, one of the lawyers representing Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a migrant whose arrest and fight to stay in the U.S. after his wrongful deportation to his native El Salvador have made him a symbol of Trump's immigration crackdown.

Patton's evidence about alleged political interference will be heard at a later date. This week's hearing is due to conclude on Thursday with no ruling expected until later this year.

(Reporting by Sam TobinEditing by Ros Russell)