McKinnon supporters to protest

Published on 12/12/2009 19:14

SUPPORTERS of Gary McKinnon, the Scottish computer hacker fighting extradition to the United States, will gather outside the Home Office this week to stage a "peaceful protest" against the Home Secretary's decision not to block his transfer.

Solicitors for McKinnon, 43, who has Asperger's syndrome, have lodged papers with the High Court seeking a judicial review of Alan Johnson's decision.

The protest, planned for Tuesday, aims to raise awareness of McKinnon's plight, following a series of legal battles.

The Glaswegian is accused of breaking into US military systems, but claims he was seeking evidence of UFOs. If convicted, he faces up to 60 years in jail.

Last month, Johnson told McKinnon's family he could not block the extradition on medical grounds.

The latest legal submissions include an up-to-date medical report and two reports about the ability of the US prison service to deal with his circumstances.

Solicitor Karen Todner has said there was new evidence from psychiatrists with experience of prisons to support his claim that extradition would violate the European Convention on Human Rights.