News19,135 Articles

November 27, 2009

Home Secretary says McKinnon must face US trial

No grounds to prevent NASA hacker's extradition

Oliver Garnham

Computer hacker Gary McKinnon looks set to face trial in the US after Home Secretary Alan Johnson said there were no grounds to prevent his extradition.

He appeared to have been thrown a lifeline last month when new medical evidence was submitted to Johnson regarded McKinnon's Asperger's Syndrome.

However, after considering the evidence, Johnson said yesterday that sending McKinnon to the US would not breach his human rights.

Gary McKinnon"Due to legitimate concerns over Mr McKinnon's health, we have sought and received assurances from the United States authorities that his needs will be met," Johnson said.

In an interview with the BBC, McKinnon's lawyer said his legal team would not give up the fight to prevent McKinnon's extradition.

"We are certainly coming to the end of the road," said Karen Todner. "We're just hoping at some point someone sees sense and steps in. All the legal team do know is we cannot give up because in some ways it's like dealing with a death row case, and we genuinely believe that Gary's life is at stake here."

McKinnon's legal battle dates back to 2001, after he broke into US military computers, including those belonging to NASA, in a bid to prove the US government had knowledge of UFOs.

While he says his actions caused no damage, the US claims he stole 950 passwords, deleted files at a naval base in New Jersey and rendered the military computer networks used following September 11 useless. The US estimates the damage caused by McKinnon at $700,000 (£433,000).

In August 2008, the European Court of Human Rights agreed to allow McKinnon to be extradited to the US. In a bid to avoid extradition McKinnon told the British Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said he would plead guilty if tried in the UK. However in February this year, the CPS refused to bring charges against McKinnon.

<<newer story | back to index | older story>>

Comments received


Peter said on Monday, 30 November 2009

While i agree that he must face trial for what he has done. 60+ years for this crime is ridiculous. Murderers have got for less for their crime some even a slap on the hand. He should be tried over here in Britain were he should get a fair trial, and knowing some of the sentences in Britain, he would get the slap on the hand and an asbo.

Our David said on Monday, 30 November 2009

Why doesn't the CIA employ him??

What is this?

Subscribe to PC Advisor now and claim your FREE gift

Keep up to date by adding PC Advisor News to your iGoogle home page or Google Reader


Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

Question of the day!

Does your smartphone replace your need for a laptop when on the move?

% of PC Advisor readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

What tasks can your smartphone do that would have traditionally been done on a laptop?

119 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @SmartphoneFocus

web browsing, search facilities, voip, email, word processing everything RT @Graham_D_C

Mainly email but getting better at spreadsheets etc, RT @IDGdan
Google


Recent reviews

Reviews index


Latest reader comments

Latest reader comments


Top news

News index


Latest blog entries

Blogs index


 Our RSS feeds

Sponsored Content

  • Take the internet to new places with the Nokia N800
    Communicate how you want to, where you want to with instant messaging, email and internet calling. View movies, browse the internet wirelessly and watch TV on the high-resolution screen and listen through high-quality stereo speakers with headphone jack.
    Buy now