Spain arrests alleged Islamist militant wanted by US for 'supporting suicide'

An alleged Islamist militant wanted by the United States has been arrested in Spain, Mirror quoted officials as saying on Friday.

Ali Charef Damache, who has dual Algerian and Irish nationality, was wanted for alleged crimes of conspiracy to provide support for terrorists, a statement says.

He has been subject to an international warrant of arrest by the US, where he allegedly recruited to Al Qaeda Maghreb Islamic and tried to mount its own group in 2009, since 2011, according to Spanish media.

Damache was detained by officers in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia, a Catalan official said today.

Patty Hartman, a spokesman for the US Justice Department in Philadelphia, where the charges against Damache are lodged, confirmed the arrest by Spanish authorities.

"We will be seeking extradition," Hartman said.

Sources: MENA