Jump Box 02

14th July 2009

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McKinnon, who has admitted breaking the law and intentionally gaining unauthorized access to computer systems, wants to be tried in Britain rather than the United States. He is asking judges at the High Court to review a decision by the director of public prosecutions not to pursue legal action in Britain, a spokeswoman at the prosecutor’s office told CNN. The prosecutor’s decision effectively cleared the way for McKinnon’s extradition, and McKinnon is hoping it will be overturned. It is not clear when the judges will make a decision on McKinnon’s request. Prosecutors made their decision in February despite saying there was sufficient evidence to prosecute McKinnon. But they said their evidence did not reflect the level of criminality alleged by U.S. authorities, so they would allow him to be tried in America. The U.S. government says McKinnon carried out the biggest military computer hacking of all time, accessing 97 computers from his home in London for a year starting in March 2001 and costing the government about $1 million. McKinnon, currently free on bail in England, has said he was simply doing research to find out whether the U.S. government was covering up the existence of UFOs. Prosecutors in the United States and Britain disagree. (via UK Pentagon hacker fights extradition to U.S. - CNN.com)

Tagged: Gary McKinnonNASAPentagon