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British computer hacker Gary McKinnon will not be extradited to the US, Home Secretary Theresa May has announced.
Mr McKinnon, 46, who admits accessing US government computers but claims he was looking for evidence of UFOs, has been fighting extradition since 2002.
The home secretary said there was no doubt Mr McKinnon was "seriously ill" and the extradition warrant against him should be withdrawn.
In a surprise move that may lead to diplomatic tensions, Theresa May announced to the House of Commons that he would be spared trial and up to 60 years in jail on human rights grounds.
She said medical reports, which agreed the 46-year-old would kill himself if he were sent to the US, were sufficient grounds to halt the extradition.
Mrs May described the case as “difficult and exceptional” and there was applause in the chamber as she announced that Mr McKinnon would be spared the ordeal of trial overseas.
The shock decision will be hailed as a significant milestone for those who have campaigned against the perceived one-sided nature of Britain’s extradition agreement with the United States
Gary McKinnon saved from extradition by Theresa May as medical reports say he is not fit to stand trial in US
Gary will not be forced to stand trial in America over hacking into Pentagon computers
Medical experts say there is a very real suicide risk
His mother Janis says his 10-year fight has been torture
Decision is a victory for the Mail's Affront to British Justice campaign
Home Secretary Theresa May has sanctioned introduction of the 'forum' bar
Means a court hearing must be held to decide where a person stands trial
Originally posted by stumason
Dammit...I was going to post in the other thread about the pending decision he would be allowed to stay, but got sidetracked by work!!!
Good old Mrs May.... Actually stood up for a UK citizen at last!
People are going to think I am odd for this, but there is something alluring about Theresa May.... She could block my extradition any time...
Originally posted by r2d246
Okay I'll theorize....
The UK thought, "hey this guy has skills, lets keep him and get him working for our MIL, and get him to provide us with all his intel. and for doing so we'll get rid of the extradition, we'll blame it one some metal illness or something".
Oh why do you think they call it the "Criminal justice" system.