Hacker on verge of extradition to US

The “world’s most dangerous hacker” is to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights after his appeal against extradition to the US was rejected by the House of Lords.

In 2001, Gar y McKinnon hacked into US-military computers shortly after the attacks on the World trade Centre and Pentagon. The US authorities allege that McKinnon caused $700,000 worth of damage and threatened national security. However, McKinnon says he caused no damage and was searching for evidence of extra-terrestrial life. If extradited, McKinnon faces up to 70 years’ imprisonment.

His lawyers argued that if sent to the US their client could be charged with terrorism offences and be given enemy combatant status. Speaking after the ruling, McKinnon’s lawyer Karen Todner said: “American officials involved in this case have stated that they want to see him ‘fry’. The consequences he faces if extradited are both disproportionate and intolerable. His case could have been properly dealt with by our own prosecuting authorities. Instead, we believe that the British government declined to prosecute him to enable the US government to make an example of him.”