Hacker loses bid to block US extradition

The British government has rejected last-ditch attempts by a man accused of hacking into US military and NASA computers to block his extradition.

British Home Secretary Alan Johnson concluded that sending Gary McKinnon to the US would not breach his human rights and said he has no general discretionary powers to stop the extradition.

Mr McKinnon, who suffers from a form of autism, could spend life in prison if convicted by a US court of gaining access to 97 computers in 2001 and 2002 in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 attacks.

His family and lawyers have warned throughout the long-running case that Mr McKinnon, who has Asperger's Syndrome, could commit suicide or suffer psychosis if the extradition went ahead.

Mr McKinnon's mother, Janis Sharp, slammed the decision as 'devastating' and 'barbaric,' adding that her son was terrified of extradition.

'To force a peaceful, vulnerable, misguided UFO fanatic like Gary thousands of miles away from his much-needed support network is barbaric,' she said.

'This is a cruel and miserable decision,' she told the BBC, adding that the British government, should 'hang their heads in shame.'

'If the severity of Gary's medical condition isn't sufficient to prevent his extradition, I can't imagine what is. God help others facing a similar fate.'

Mr McKinnon, 43, said he was only looking for evidence of unidentified flying objects when he hacked into the US Navy and NASA space agency computers.

US authorities allege he stole passwords and deleted files, leading to the shutdown of computer systems, with repairs costing around €534,000.

His cause has drawn high-profile support, including from Trudie Styler, wife of rock star Sting, who urged mothers to write to the Home Secretary.

Last month, the High Court in London refused Mr McKinnon leave to appeal to Britain's new Supreme Court against his extradition.

The British Home Office agreed to study new medical evidence about Mr McKinnon before deciding on his extradition.

However, Mr Johnson told Mr McKinnon's family in a letter that he could not block the move on medical grounds.

He said he had received guarantees from US authorities that Mr McKinnon's medical needs would be met once extradited, and if convicted he would not serve any time in a 'supermax' prison.

Mr McKinnon's solicitor said she would seek a judicial review of Mr Johnson's decision, and lodge an application before the High Court within seven days.

His lawyers say he could easily be prosecuted in Britain, where he would face a less severe sentence.

But the Crown Prosecution Service ruled in February that the case was best brought in the US.