McKinnon launches fresh extradition appeal

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 11 Dec 2009 at 08:52

Gary McKinnon's legal team has submitted fresh evidence to the high court that they claim shows the hacker is suicidal and would not survive extradition to the US.

"The evidence served includes all previous medical reports together with an up to date psychiatric report on Gary's mental wellbeing and two reports, one English and one American, commenting on the assurances which have been provided on behalf of the US Government to accommodate Gary's illness," writes Karen Todner, McKinnon's solicitor.

"We hope that on receipt of these documents the home secretary may reflect and reconsider his position," she concludes.

The submission follows Home Secretary Alan Johnson's decision not to oppose the removal of McKinnon to the US on charges of breaching US military networks. Todner has previously argued that extradition makes her client's death "virtually certain".

The team is now seeking a judicial review of the home secretary's decision.

McKinnon has been accused of hacking US military networks an estimated 97 times in what has been described by prosecutors as the "biggest military hack" of all time.