UK hacker loses extradition appeal

Nasa hacker faces trial in the United States

Prosecutors appear to have won their appeal to extradite UK computer hacker Gary McKinnon to the United States, where he could face trial for hacking into military computer systems.

District Judge Nicholas Evans today ruled that McKinnon should be recommended for extradition to the US, but the final decision will be made shortly by Home Secretary John Reid.

McKinnon, aged 40, could face up to 60 years in prison if found guilty by US judges. He stands accused of hacking into 97 US government computers, including systems used by Nasa, the Pentagon and the US army, navy and airforce.

The self-confessed hacker has been fighting extradition at Bow Street Magistrates' Court for more than two years, but appears to have finally lost his appeal for a trial under UK law.

US officials claim that McKinnon is the biggest military hacker of all time, allegedly causing $700,000 (£370,000) worth of damage to US military computer networks, during a hacking spell that lasted from February 2001 to March 2002.

But McKinnon denies allegations that he is a mastermind hacker, saying he entered US computer systems to find out the truth about UFO activity. He also refutes that he brought down computer systems at a US naval base in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

McKinnon asked for a trial in the UK saying that an American prosecution could be biased, with his acts being interpreted as an act of terrorism.

But following assurances from the US government, District Judge Evans ruled that there was no reason to think that an American trial should be unjust.

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