Official Ares Free Download

  Britain’s  Labour government has cravenly caved into US demands to extradite British hacker Gary McKinnon, who’s afflicted with Asperger syndrome, to America.

His family was told of home secretary Alan Johnson’s decision yesterday afternoon, says the Telegraph.

McKinnon, seen here with his mother, Janis Sharp, who’s been fighting ceaselessly to prevent US authorities from railroading him, is “wanted in America for finding his way into military computer systems in his search for classified data on UFOs,” said p2pnet early last month.

“Gary was accused of hacking into the Pentagon more than seven years ago and the British High-Tech crime unit told him they had been monitoring his computers for six months and as he had caused no damage he would be facing approximately six months community service.” Janis told p2pnet recently.

He’s being extradited under a treaty “which has been criticised because, while British prosecutors must provide details of the evidence against an American citizen, US prosecutors need only explain the charges to take a Briton to America,” the Telegraph states, quoting Johnson (right) as stating »»»

I have carefully considered the representations in the case of Gary McKinnon.

I am clear that the information is not materially different from that placed before the High Court earlier this year and does not demonstrate that sending Mr McKinnon to the United States would breach his human rights.

As the courts have affirmed, I have no general discretion. If Mr McKinnon’s human rights would be breached, I must stop the extradition. If they would not be breached, the extradition must go ahead.

Earlier this year the High Court upheld the extradition request for Mr McKinnon. This was after all proceedings under the Extradition Act 2003 had been completed.

The High Court dismissed a further challenge by Mr McKinnon that extradition to the USA would be in breach of his human rights.

Throughout this process there have been a number of assurances. Firstly 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. These were before the High Court in July.

It is also clear from the proceedings to date that Mr McKinnon will not, if convicted, serve any of his sentence in a supermax prison. Finally, should Mr McKinnon be extradited, charged and convicted in the US and seek repatriation to the UK to serve a custodial sentence, the Government will of course progress his application at the very earliest opportunity.

“I know there is a concern on all sides to see a conclusion to these proceedings,” he adds.

“It is now open to Mr McKinnon’s lawyer to consider their legal options. As a consequence I do not propose to comment any further.”

Related Articles

 Enjoyed this? Subscribe to the feed.