FBI nabs 'anarchist' fugitive
By The Associated Press
PORTLAND - A self-proclaimed ``green anarchist'' was arrested Wednesday in Seattle after failing to appear before a federal grand jury investigating a string of eco-terrorist arsons.
Josh Harper, 25, was charged with criminal contempt of court after he did not appear before the Portland jury on May 24. He was arrested by FBI agents.
The grand jury is looking into suspected eco-terrorist acts by two underground groups - the Earth Liberation Front and Animal Liberation Front - that have claimed responsibility for a string of fires, including the burning of Boise Cascade's Monmouth office last Christmas.
Harper, a longtime animal rights activist from Eugene, has publicized animal rights sabotage in a videotaped series titled ``Breaking Free.''
He was expected to appear in U.S. District Court in Seattle today but will be transferred to Portland to face the single criminal contempt charge, said Stephen Peifer, an assistant U.S. attorney.
``We'll be asking for detention because he's been a fugitive for four months,'' Peifer said.
No hearing date has been set.
Federal authorities are investigating the three-year string of arsons and break-ins that include the Boise Cascade fire and a $12 million arson at the Vail, Colo., ski resort in 1998.
The ELF and ALF have claimed responsibility for the fires anonymously through Portland activist Craig Rosebraugh.
Rosebraugh publicized the crimes and has been called before the grand jury twice this year, though he maintains he does not know the identities of group members.
Peifer said he could not discuss what, if any, questions the government would have for Harper, or if he would be brought before the grand jury.
In May, Harper told supporters that he would not answer questions.
``My life is my own, my thoughts are my own, and what I decide to do will not be dictated to me by judges, attorneys and their lackeys with guns,'' he wrote in a statement released by allies in Portland.
``If they want me, let them come get me. They can drag me to the grand jury room, but they can never make me speak.''
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