Birthday dad now accused of Spanish police murder

A suspected terrorist arrested over a plot to assassinate the King of Spain celebrated his daughter’s birthday just days before his "ordinary life" ended.
Eneko Arronategui was known as Cyril Macq by neighbours in Arbury.
But unknown to them he was also suspected of being one of Spain’s ‘most wanted’, on the run for as long as 14 years.
On Thursday he was arrested for a raft of alleged offences including murdering a Spanish policeman and attempting to kill Juan Carlos II.
During a botched grenade attack in Bilbao in October 1997, the police officer was killed near the Guggenheim Museum.

Photo of Arronategui released by Spanish authorities
Arronategui, 44, lived in Fortescue Road, in Arbury ward, with his two young children – pupils at Arbury Primary School – and their mother.
On Sunday they celebrated their daughter’s 5th birthday – but days later their quiet life was shattered when armed police raided their house.
Alison Flack, who knows the family, said: “My only experience of this family is that of a loving, tight family, friendly and unassuming.
“My daughter spent Sunday at their house at their daughter’s 5th birthday party and had a wonderful time.
“I am also aware that there are two small children whose lives are now going to be turned upside down, who will have no understanding of why their daily routines, school friends and home life have been taken away from them.
“My thoughts are with them, and hope that they are in a safe and loving environment.”
A burst balloon from the party now hangs on the wall near the back door of the home.
Evidence of family life remained, with a trampoline, sandpit and children’s chalk marks on a wall where they had played noughts and crosses.
The suspected member of terrorist separatist group ETA lived a quiet existence as a father, polite neighbour and a respected work colleague at Play.com in Histon.
He was also membership secretary of Cambridge Squash Club in Histon Road.
Friends and neighbours told of a “very friendly guy” who went on weekend cycling trips with his partner and their two children.
He is accused of hijacking a lorry and two cars after gunning down a policeman following the attempt on the king’s life in Spain in 1997.
Speaking yesterday while his friend awaited possible extradition to Spain, neighbour Neville Doe, 40, a governor of Arbury Primary School, told the News: “He was just an ordinary, regular guy and very friendly. He would go out with his partner and two children on their bikes at the weekend.
“He was keen on keeping fit and I asked him where he went running. He told me he went to the lake near the Holiday Inn Hotel off the A14.
“There was nothing really to raise any suspicions. He never spoke about politics. I just find it incredible he had allegedly lived such a dramatic life like something out of James Bond. I feel so sorry for the children.”
The Spanish national spent the past five years working as a computer programmer providing IT support for online retailer Play.com.
He will next appear in court via video link from prison on July 25 for an extradition hearing. The Spanish authorities have applied to have him deported to his homeland, but he is fighting the warrant.

 

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