McKinnon Makes Final Appeal on Extradition Case

McKinnon Makes Final Appeal on Extradition Case

Hacker Gary McKinnon tried his luck for the last time hoping to prevent his extradition to the US for computer fraud trial. He appeared in a judicial review at the London High Court to make his final appeal to be tried in the UK and not in the US. 
 

McKinnon's camp argued the court should consider his Asperger's syndrome and the possibility of suffering from mental distress if brought in the US to face the trial. His lawyer, Edward Fitgerald, said there was “clear, uncontradicted expert evidence” McKinnon may have suicidal and psychosis tendencis because of his illness. 

 

McKinnon also aims to get a shorter jail term in the UK if convicted. He maintains that he should not be tried by a US jury who has the possibility of being connected to the US Department of Defense. 

 

Gary McKinnon is a Scottish hacker alleged of perpetrating the "biggest military computer hack of all time."  The US government accuses him of accessing and damaging 22 computers containing sensitive national defense data as well as security and military operations information. The hacking spree was reported to have caused a network outage in Washington DC, cutting the internet access of 2,000 users for around three days. The US government says McKinnon cost the country $900,000 (£490,000).