Biting the hand that feeds IT
Biting the hand that feeds IT
|
|
Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/02/15/pentagon_hacker__wants_letter/
Alleged Pentagon Hacker Gary McKinnon was told in court today that the US Embassy would write a letter to help him avoid the full wrath of presidential anti-terror laws, if he were extradited for prosecution.
McKinnon (aka Solo) was facing extradition proceedings in Bow Street Magistrates Court this morning so that he could be tried in US courts for allegedly hacking (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/27/mckinnon_extradition_hearing_begins/print.html) into 97 US military and NASA computers, disabling the Washington computer network, and leaving a message that read: "US foreign policy is akin to government sponsored terrorism these days... I am SOLO. I will continue to disrupt at the highest levels".
The case was adjourned until March 14.
Karen Todner, representing McKinnon for Kaim Todner Solicitors, told El Reg that without the president's signature, the letter would be worthless, because only the president could waive a privileged presidential power.
Todner fears that an extradition without presidential assurances to the contrary, could see Solo face solitary confinement in Guantanemo Bay or 30 years imprisonment under the president's special powers, Military Commission Order #1 (http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2002/d20020321ord.pdf).
If McKinnon's extradition is refused, he could still face up to three years in prison under the Misuse of Computers Act.
The prosecution has stated that he is not being treated as a terrorist, but has also made their case on his intention to "endanger the public safety" by "causing harm to the US government".
Todner said the prosecution had promised a "diplomatic note" from the US Embassy providing the assurances she wanted.
"We say that's not sufficient because the only person who can decide is the president, so it must come from the president himself," she said.
The case was adjourned while the court awaits the conclusion of another extradition case - that of the three former NatWest investment bankers who are up for extradition over an alleged Enron-linked fraud.
The defences in all cases are arguing that the extradition treaty between the US and UK is lopsided because the US has not signed up to its obligations, but is expecting full co-operation in its turn.
The US Embassy refused to comment. ®
Get a celebrity autograph on your mobile phone (17 January 2008)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/17/mobile_autographs/
Sealand dismisses McKinnon asylum offer as 'rumour' (3 May 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/05/03/sealand_mckinnon_asylum_nixed/
Pentagon 'hacker' questions US cost claims (26 April 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04/26/mckinnon_infosec/
Accused Pentagon hacker prosecution could backfire (13 April 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04/13/mckinnon_extradition_appeal_analysis/
McKinnon loses fight against extradition (3 April 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04/03/mckinnon_extradition/
'Pentagon hacker' plays joker on US authorities (15 February 2007)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/02/15/pentagon_hacker_plea/
Pentagon hacker appeals US extradition (12 December 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12/12/pentagon_hacker_appeal_date/
Extradition appeal due in weeks, says McKinnon (8 December 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12/08/mckinnon_extradition_appeal_due/
Pentagon hacker says charges have been manufactured (25 August 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/25/extradition_hacker/
UK gov waves through McKinnon extradition (7 July 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/07/07/reid_approves_mckinnon/
Judge greenlights extradition of 'Pentagon hacker' (10 May 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/10/pentagon_hacker_packs_bags/
'Pentagon hacker' prepares for verdict (28 April 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/04/28/mckinnon_interview/
Alleged Pentagon hacker fears Guantanamo (13 April 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/04/13/mckinnon_extradition_fears/
Argentina extradites Spanish hacker (11 April 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/04/11/argentina_extradites_spanish_hacker/
Bush denies human-induced climate change (31 March 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/03/31/bush_climate_logic/
Oklahoma city threatens to call FBI over 'renegade' Linux maker (24 March 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/03/24/tuttle_centos/
Feds nix Check Point's Sourcefire bid (24 March 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/03/24/checkpoint_sourcefire_deal/
US man faces five years for hacking supervisor's PC (2 March 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/03/02/us_education_hack/
Pentagon to enslave shark-kind (2 March 2006)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/03/02/shark_mind_control/
'Pentagon hacker' McKinnon fights extradition (27 July 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/27/mckinnon_extradition_hearing_begins/
McKinnon warns off fledgling hackers as hearing looms (18 July 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/18/mckinnon_interview/
Leave hacker scum to rot, says MP (13 July 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/13/longer_sentences_hackers/
Pentagon über-hacker rap sheet spills attack details (11 July 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/11/mckinnon_indictment_snafu/
Brit hack suspect faces extradition fight (8 June 2005)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/06/08/brit_hack_suspect_arrest/
Brit charged with hacking Pentagon, NASA (13 November 2002)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/11/13/brit_charged_with_hacking_pentagon/
© Copyright 2008