By John Leyden for The Register. This story was
reproduced with permission.
Law lords rejected McKinnon's appeal against extradition last
month, leaving the European Court of Human Rights as his final
avenue of appeal. McKinnon's solicitors Kaim Todner have lodged an
appeal to the European court arguing that strong arm tactics used
by US authorities during plea bargaining negotiations and concerns
that McKinnon may be subject to a military tribunal constitute a
violation of his human rights.
In a brief statement, Kaim Todner said the court had granted
McKinnon "interim relief" against extradition until 28 August, in
order for his application to considered before the full chamber of
presidents of the European Court of Human Rights. David Dinkeldein,
a solicitor at Kaim Todner, explained that the injunction prevents
McKinnon's extradition until at least 28 August. The case will be
considered on the basis of written papers, and no hearing has been
scheduled.
The 42-year-old faces a US indictment alleging he hacked into 97
US government and military systems between 2001 and 2002, causing
damage that left the network of the Naval Weapons Station Earle,
New Jersey, offline for a week. McKinnon admits gaining
unauthorised access but denies causing any damage. He describes
himself as an amateur hunting for anything showing that the US was
suppressing evidence of UFOs, rather than a hostile hacker.
If extradited to the US and convicted on all charges McKinnon
faces a maximum sentence of up to 60 years behind bars, though
somewhere in the region of between eight to ten years is more
likely.
© The Register
2008
