British bodybuilder, 32, arrested after 'nearly killing' two US soldiers during unprovoked attack outside restaurant

Police on the Costa Blanca have arrested a British bodybuilder accused of knocking out and 'nearly killing' two American soldiers during an unprovoked attack outside a restaurant.

The 32-year-old fugitive was held on a European Arrest Warrant issued by authorities in Germany for a crime of 'attempted homicide', according to detectives in Spain.

Police said the alleged crime took place on June 2 outside a restaurant, when the suspect, described as a 'martial arts expert', was with another two people.

The unnamed Brit was arrested at Alicante Airport and is now facing extradition.

A spokesman for Spain's National Police in Alicante said: 'National Police officers have held a British man at Alicante Airport on a European Arrest Warrant.

'The warrant had been issued by German authorities for a crime of attempted homicide which carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years on conviction.

'The fugitive was located and arrested in less than 20 days, as the order to capture him was activated on July 5.

'He was arrested by officers carrying out passenger control duties at the airport.'

The police force added: 'The arrested man, who practiced martial arts and did body-building on a regular basis, managed to knock out the two soldiers with barely any effort given his extraordinary physical condition.

'He also displayed a high level of violence.

'When his alleged victims were on the ground, he didn't let up in his hostile attitude towards them.

'He continued hitting them hard while they were on the floor, in parts of their body including their heads, before fleeing the scene with his two companions when he discovered witnesses had called police.

'The two soldiers were seriously injured and at one point their lives were deemed to be at risk.

'The 32-year-old suspect has been handed over to the Audiencia Nacional court in Madrid which deals with extraditions.'

It was not immediately clear today if the Brit has agreed to be sent back to Germany or has indicated he will fight efforts to extradite him.

His current whereabouts is unknown.

Police could not be reached today for more details.

The place where the June 2 incident occurred has not yet been made public.