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Cambridge IT guy 'was the Spanish Guy Fawkes', say cops

Techie allegedly plotted to blow up king

A Cambridge IT worker known locally as "Cyril" was actually a wanted terrorist who plotted to kill the King of Spain, according to police.

Scotland Yard announced last week that Spanish national Eneko Gogeaskoetxea Arronategui, 44, had been arrested by armed cops in a "pro-active, intelligence-led operation" which saw the British plods act on a European Arrest Warrant at the request of Spanish authorities.

According to the warrant, Arronategui is wanted in Spain for "participation in an armed gang; attempted assassination of the King; terrorism resulting in death; possession of weapons; theft and forgery," with the offences dating from 1997.

Reportedly, Arronategui used the name Cyril Macq while living in Cambridge with his family and working in IT. He was secretary of his local squash club and was described by his neighbours as "a gentleman" and "a regular dad", according to the Telegraph.

Spanish police contend that the squash-playing, gentlemanly IT type was a prime mover in the 1997 plot by Basque separatist group Eta to kill King Juan Carlos of Spain by bombing the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao as he visited it for opening ceremonies. The plot was foiled, though a policeman was killed in a shootout with the bombers. ®

Bootnote

We are aware of the various dissimilarities between the Gunpowder Plot and the attempt against Juan Carlos: but by all means discuss them in the comments.

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