Tech News

UFO Hacker files extradition appeal in London High Court

By Steve Ragan Feb 15, 2007, 16:15 GMT

Gary McKinnon, the thirty-nine year old systems administrator accused of hacking several United States Government computers, filed an appeal recently in the London High Courts to block extradition. This appeal is in response to the first attempt to block removal by US authorities that was rejected when a judge threw out original arguments and U.K. Home Secretary John Reid approved the extradition order. Shortly after his arrest in 2005, for his involvement in the 2001 NASA hacking, an order of extradition was filed by the US courts in the East District of Virginia. His lawyers said that because of the wording of the order, essentially that he disrupted critical military networks after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States; the government could justify his detainment as an enemy combatant and subject him to less than fair treatment. At the time of the original objection, it was well known that with the base in Cuba and other parts of the world, the US government was subjecting anyone who appeared to pose a threat to national security as an enemy combatant.The charges against McKinnon stem from hacking sessions that deleted or accessed critical systems and files during February 2001, and March 2002. Among the systems accessed were computers owned by NASA, the US Army, the US Navy, the US Department of Defense, and the US Air Force. McKinnon does not deny the charges he gained administrator rights, and accessed the systems. He used a program named ‘Remotely Anywhere,’ which is similar to ‘PC Anywhere,’ in scope and functionality. ‘PC Anywhere’ is a well-known remote PC access and control program that is used by several large networks and corporations."I got caught because I was using a graphical remote control tool and I forgot what time zone I was in," McKinnon said. "Somebody was in the office when I was moving the mouse around." His reasoning for the hacks is due to interests in UFO’s he claims. However according to early reports filed by the courts a note that McKinnon admits to leaving read, "U.S. foreign policy is akin to government-sponsored terrorism these days.... I am solo. I will continue to disrupt at the highest levels."His motives and actions will likely be the deciding factor in the appeal. If he is extradited, he could face up to sixty years in prison. The hearing for the appeal was set for February 14, 2007.

On the Web

Blowing Up Blogs

Place your ad here
Loading...

Your Talkback on this Story

Latest Headlines in Tech

Older Talkback

page: 1

matthew burtonFeb 25th, 2007 - 00:32:36

This man is a hero of our world !
Good luck brother

Report this comment

Denver ChurchFeb 27th, 2007 - 01:46:50

In God We Trust ...In UFO's About the Roswell crash debris: 'Thus 'Matter' is not a part of the ultimate material of this world but merely a convenient way of collecting events into bundles.' ---Bertrand Russell 1872-1970
Hybrids? Yes. A collection process is underway for a few hybrids: 'you have to pull the string to crank the mower.' This collection coincides with the end of time as we know it. 'You ain't seen nuthin' yet.' President Ronald Reagan 'All governments, whatever their political complexion, are at present willy-nilly in their grip of natural forces which can only be dealt with by a degree of intelligence of which mankind hitherto has shown little evidence.' ---Bertrand Russell 1872-1970

Report this comment

page: 1

Tech News

UFO Hacker files extradition appeal in London High Court

On the Web

Your Talkback on this Story

Latest Headlines in Tech

Older Talkback

Like M&C on Facebook

Viral Web

In Monsters and Critics

Corporate

The Fine Print