Abortion doctor murder suspect held

"Atomic Dog" James Kopp is prominent among anti-abortion activists

A notorious American anti-abortion activist wanted for murder has been arrested in France.

James Kopp, 46, is charged with killing Barnett Slepian, in 1998.

He has been on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list for the past two years.

The US Department of Justice confirmed that it was beginning the process of extraditing Mr Kopp.

The United States Attorney General, John Ashcroft, said he was "committed to bringing Mr. Kopp back to the United States to face these charges."

A Brooklyn couple have been arrested on suspicion of helping Mr Kopp evade arrest.

French police said Mr Kopp was arrested in the town of Dinan, in the west of France.

Barnett Slepian: killed in his kitchen by a sniper

Mr Slepian, a 52-year-old obstetrician, was killed by a sniper as he stood chatting with his wife and one of his four sons in the kitchen of their home in Amherst near Buffalo.

The New York doctor carried out legal abortions at a women's clinic in Buffalo and also had a private medical practice.

Notorious

James Kopp has been arrested several times for his anti-abortion activities.

He is wanted in Canada and the US in connection with at least four other attacks on abortion doctors.

He used several aliases and was known in anti-abortion circles as "Atomic Dog".

Last October, a Federal Grand Jury indicted Mr Kopp on two counts.

He is charged with using deadly force to prevent Dr Slepian from providing reproductive health services and with using a firearm to commit violence.

Both charges carry a sentence of life imprisonment.

Mr Kopp has been on the run since the shooting.

The FBI offered a reward of $50,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Two weeks ago, he was reported to have been traced to Ireland, where he had been working in a Dublin hospital.

Police in New York have arrested two people they believe harboured the alleged murderer.