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Hacker mother appeals to Obama Hacker mother appeals to Obama
(about 2 hours later)
The mother of a British computer hacker facing extradition to the US has appealed to President Barack Obama to intervene in the affair. The mother of a UK computer hacker facing extradition to the US has called on President Barack Obama to intervene.
Janis Sharp spoke after her son, Gary McKinnon, who has Asperger's Syndrome, lost a court bid to avoid extradition. Janis Sharp spoke after her son, Gary McKinnon, 43, of London, who has Asperger's Syndrome, lost a court bid to avoid extradition.
The US wants to try him for what it calls the biggest military computer hack ever, in 2001 and 2002, but he says he was seeking evidence on UFOs. The US wants to try Mr McKinnon for what it calls the biggest military computer hack ever in 2001/02. He maintains he was seeking UFO evidence.
Ms Sharp said: "Please hear us, Obama. I know you would do the right thing."Ms Sharp said: "Please hear us, Obama. I know you would do the right thing."
A letter has been sent to the US president signed by 40 British MPs asking him to step in and "bring this shameful episode to an end".A letter has been sent to the US president signed by 40 British MPs asking him to step in and "bring this shameful episode to an end".
Speaking outside the court Ms Sharp said President Obama should help those campaigning on her 43-year-old son's behalf make the world "a more compassionate place". I'm just praying, please hear us, Obama, because I know you would do the right thing Janis SharpGary McKinnon's mother class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8178321.stm">Reaction to decision class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/7839338.stm">Gary McKinnon profile
Speaking outside the High Court, Ms Sharp said President Obama should help those campaigning on her son's behalf make the world "a more compassionate place".
"Obama wouldn't have this. He doesn't want the first guy extradited for computer misuse to be a guy with Asperger's [Syndrome], a UFO guy."Obama wouldn't have this. He doesn't want the first guy extradited for computer misuse to be a guy with Asperger's [Syndrome], a UFO guy.
My predecessor has already sought and received clear assurances from the US that Mr McKinnon's health and welfare needs would be met, should he be extradited Alan Johnson, Home Secretary Reaction to decision Gary McKinnon profile
"I'm just praying, please hear us, Obama, because I know you would do the right thing," she added."I'm just praying, please hear us, Obama, because I know you would do the right thing," she added.
Mr McKinnon admits hacking by accessing 97 government computers belonging to organisations such as the US Navy and Nasa, but denies it was malicious. He also denies the allegation he caused damage costing $800,000 (£487,000). Glasgow-born Mr McKinnon admits hacking by accessing 97 government computers belonging to organisations such as the US Navy and Nasa, but denies it was malicious. He also denies the allegation he caused damage costing $800,000 (£487,000).
Whether or not he can appeal to the new UK Supreme Court - due to launch in October - will be decided later, Lord Justice Burnton said. He has always insisted he was looking for classified documents on UFOs, which he believed the US authorities had suppressed.
Glasgow-born Mr McKinnon had challenged refusals by the home secretary and the director of public prosecutions (DPP) to try him in the UK. Supreme Court challenge
The home secretary insists he has no power to demand the trial take place in the UK. Mr McKinnon has challenged refusals by the home secretary and the director of public prosecutions (DPP) to try him in the UK.
The DPP refused to order a UK trial, saying the bulk of the evidence was located in the US and Mr McKinnon's actions were directed against the US military infrastructure. But the DPP refused to order a UK trial, saying the bulk of the evidence was located in the US and Mr McKinnon's actions were directed against the US military infrastructure.
Gary McKinnon suffers from Asperger's SyndromeGary McKinnon suffers from Asperger's Syndrome
Mr McKinnon could face 60 years or more in prison if convicted in the US.
Whether or not he can appeal to the new UK Supreme Court - due to launch in October - will be decided later, Lord Justice Burnton, one of two High Court judges to hear his case, said earlier.
The court was also asked to rule on whether his Asperger's Syndrome - a form of autism - meant he could not be extradited to the US.The court was also asked to rule on whether his Asperger's Syndrome - a form of autism - meant he could not be extradited to the US.
Mr McKinnon's lawyers argued extradition was "unnecessary, avoidable and disproportionate" and had not taken place in other cases. Mr McKinnon's lawyers argued extradition was "unnecessary, avoidable and disproportionate".
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: "Mr McKinnon is accused of serious crimes and the US has a lawful right to seek his extradition, as we do when we wish to prosecute people who break our laws. Karen Todner said her client was "clearly not equipped" to deal with the American penal system.
"The court judgement has also made absolutely clear that the DPP's decision not to prosecute in the UK was the right one. 'Out to dry'
"My predecessor has already sought and received clear assurances from the US that Mr McKinnon's health and welfare needs would be met, should he be extradited." Tory leader David Cameron said the case raised "serious questions" about the extradition pact between the US and UK.
Mr McKinnon faces up to 70 years in prison if convicted in the US. "Gary McKinnon is a vulnerable young man and I see no compassion in sending him thousands of miles away from his home and loved ones to face trial."
He has always insisted he was looking for classified documents on UFOs which he believed the US authorities had suppressed. US-UK EXTRADITION TREATY 2003 treaty, agreed in aftermath of 9/11 attacksOffence must be punishable by one year or more in jail in both countriesUS has to prove "reasonable suspicion" for extradition of a British citizen To extradite an American from the US, British must prove "probable cause"Since 2004, 46 people have been sent from the UK to the US for trial, and 27 from US to UK class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6822">Send us your comments
Ms Sharp said her son - who did not attend court on Friday - had been "naive enough to admit to computer misuse without having a lawyer and without one being present". Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne claimed the American government would not "hang one of their citizens out to dry in the same way".
US-UK EXTRADITION TREATY 2003 treaty, agreed in aftermath of 9/11 attacksOffence must be punishable by one year or more in jail in both countriesUS has to prove "reasonable suspicion" for extradition of a British citizen To extradite an American from the US, British must prove "probable cause"Since 2004, 56 people have been sent from the UK to the US for trial, and 26 for US to UKUS courts have granted about 70% of UK extradition requests, while nearly 90% of US requests have been granted class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6822">Send us your comments "The [UK] government must ensure that the US-UK Extradition Treaty is repealed and that its replacement treats US and British citizens equally," he said.
She said she was "heartbroken" and feared for his health. But Home Secretary Alan Johnson insisted he had no power to demand the trial take place in the UK.
"He's very ill, he's got really bad chest pains, it's affected him emotionally, mentally, every way, he's terrified," she said. "Mr McKinnon is accused of serious crimes and the US has a lawful right to seek his extradition, as we do when we wish to prosecute people who break our laws."
In a statement, his lawyer Karen Todner, asked: "What does it take to make this government sit up and listen to the clear public view that Gary McKinnon should not be extradited? He added that he had "clear assurances from the US" that Mr McKinnon's health and welfare needs would be met.
"The extradition treaty with America was brought in to facilitate the extradition of terrorists and it must be clear to anyone following this case that [he] is no terrorist." Mr McKinnon has already appealed unsuccessfully to the House of Lords and the European Court of Human Rights.
She added that he was "clearly not equipped" to deal with the American penal system.
In February the Crown Prosecution Service refused to bring charges against Mr McKinnon in the UK, following a ruling by former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to allow his extradition.
Mr McKinnon has already appealed unsuccessfully to the House of Lords and the European Court of Human Rights and his latest judicial reviews in the High Court are likely to be his last chance.
His lawyers say the authorities have not given proper consideration to his Asperger's Syndrome, which could have "disastrous consequences" - including suicide - if he was to be extradited.
Asperger's Syndrome sufferers commonly become obsessed with certain activities and interests and have a level of social naivety when it comes to evaluating the consequences of their actions.