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Computer expert Gary McKinnon is seen posing after arriving at the High Court, in London January 20, 2009. REUTERS/Andrew Winning

British hacker spared extradition to U.S.
British hacker spared extradition to U.S.
Posted : Tuesday, 16 October 2012 07:49AM

LONDON (Reuters) - A British computer hacker accused by the United States of breaking into military systems will be spared from extradition because he is at risk of committing suicide, interior minister Theresa May said on Tuesday.

Gary McKinnon, who has been fighting extradition for seven years, faced up to 60 years in an American jail if found guilty of what one U.S. prosecutor called the "biggest military computer hack of all time".

"I have concluded that Mr. McKinnon's extradition would give rise to such a high risk of him ending his life that a decision to extradite would be incompatible with Mr. McKinnon's human rights," May told parliament

"I have therefore withdrawn the extradition order against Mr. McKinnon."

(Reporting by Tim Castle; editing by Steve Addison)

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Check for restrictions at: http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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