One of FBI's most wanted on the run for 20 years appears in court after being found in Wales
An alleged terrorist who managed to evade the FBI for more than two decades has appeared in court after being tracked down in Wales.
Despite being on the agency's 'most wanted' list since 2003 and having a $250,000 (£190,000) bounty on his head, Daniel Andreas San Diego somehow managed to avoid detection until last year.
The 46-year-old, from Berkeley, California, is believed to have set up a new life in North Wales after reportedly fleeing the US.
Cops from the UK's National Crime Agency and Counter Terrorism Police swooped on his rural home in Maenan, Conwy, in November last year.
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After over 20 years on the run, San Diego was snared for allegedly carrying out a double bombing on US soil in 2003.
The FBI - who offered a quarter of a million dollars for information leading to his capture - described him as an 'animal rights extremist' and a 'skilled' sailor.
San Diego was described as having a tattoo in the centre of his chest of 'burning hillsides' which was accompanied by the words: "It only takes a spark."
The fugitive made the most wanted list due to his alleged involvement in two explosions in San Francisco which took place 22 years ago.
The FBI explained: "On August 28, 2003, two bombs exploded approximately one hour apart on the campus of a biotechnology corporation in Emeryville.
"Then, on September 26, 2003, one bomb strapped with nails exploded at a nutritional products corporation in Pleasanton. San Diego was indicted in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, in July of 2004."
No injuries were reported from the blasts.
The bureau warned that San Diego 'should be considered armed and dangerous', while adding that the 6ft-tall bloke was known to possess a handgun.
It is believed that he had been living under a false name in the Welsh countryside for a number of years after fleeing the States at some point in 2003.
FBI agent David Johnson explained that the fugitive was last sighted in San Francisco before he was eventually found in Wales.
He told the BBC: "He parked his car, got out of his vehicle and started walking down the street and, if I'm not mistaken, he went into a Bart [train] station. And that was the last time we've seen him."
It is believed that San Diego then purchased his £425,000 UK property, which boasted a balcony with sweeping views of the countryside, under an alias.
The former owner of the home, Aled Evans, said the secluded pad was a 'perfect place to hide'.
"[San Diego] was besotted with the view from the house," Evans added following the alleged bomber's capture last year. "His view for the foreseeable future won’t be half as good."
On Monday (6 January), San Diego appeared before Llandudno Magistrates' Court on a video link from HMP Belmarsh in London, according to the BBC.
District judge Gwyn Jones granted the police's application for a 12-month account freezing order after a financial investigator found the fugitive had £20,000 stashed in three separate UK Lloyds bank accounts.
Zara Parry told the court that she found the trio of accounts under the fake name Danny Webb - and it has since been confirmed these belong to San Diego.
He remains in custody while awaiting extradition to the US.
During his court appearance, according to North Wales Live, San Diego said: "Ultimately, without being able to speak to a solicitor, I wouldn’t want to make any representations because I don’t know the legalities of what’s happening.”
As the hearing finished, San Diego nonchalantly said: "Cool, thank you."
FBI director Christopher Wray previously said that the case 'shows that no matter how long it takes, the FBI will find you and hold you accountable'.
Olivia Burke