!-Update 28th November-! - Another up-to-date petition has been created. Please sign this here. In addition Gary's situation has finally been raised direct to the Prime Minister Gordon Brown in PM's Question Time. Video to follow.
!Updated - 1st November! Gary has had his first hint of a shift in official positions. See this latest news update.
On the 28th August, truth-seeking researcher Gary McKinnon had his last chance at preventing extradition to the USA refused by the European Court of Human Rights.
Read on for more.
See also: Going Solo - A comparison of other "cyber crimes" | Hacking Away - McKinnon and the Failings of the Disclosure Community?
From the speed of the initial hearing and the
instant decision made by ECHR - it seems more than possible that
behind-the-scenes pressure has been applied bycombined US/UK legal
teams to provide the desired result.
Gary now faces a long sentence in the US,
possibly decided by a close, military style tribunal as the US want to
prevent further public exposure to what McKinnon found during his
search of military and space networks for UFO truths and free-energy
devices.
For those that want a video of the demo featuring a couple of
interviews I've just posted a torrent of it. Search the usual sites.
We go to war for the USA - we sell our citizens on fake "damage"
charges to them too. This isn't Labour - there's an uber shadow-operation
doing this monkey bizniz.
Hacker loses extradition appeal
A Briton accused of hacking into secret military computers has lost his appeal against extradition to the US.
Glasgow-born Gary McKinnon was said to be "distraught" after losing the
appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. He faces extradition
within two weeks.
The unemployed man could face life in jail if convicted of accessing 97 US military and Nasa computers.
The 42-year-old admitted breaking into the computers from his London home but said he sought information on UFOs.
Mr McKinnon asked the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg to
delay his extradition pending a full appeal to the court against his
extradition but his application was refused.
He claimed the extradition would breach his human rights.
'Absolutely devastated'
His solicitor Karen Todner said this had been her client's "last
chance" and appealed to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to intervene.
Our client now faces the prospect of prosecution and imprisonment
thousands of miles away from his family in a country in which he has
never set foot
Solicitor Karen Todner
"He is absolutely devastated by the decision," she said. "He and his family are distraught.
"They are completely beside themselves. He is terrified by the prospect of going to America."
She added Mr McKinnon had recently been diagnosed with Asperger
syndrome and would ask for the case to be tried in this country.
"The offences for which our client's extradition is
sought were committed on British soil and we maintain that any
prosecution ought to be carried out by the appropriate British
authorities," she added.
"Our client now faces the prospect of prosecution and
imprisonment thousands of miles away from his family in a country in
which he has never set foot."
Mr McKinnon, from Wood Green, north London, was arrested in 2002 but never charged in the UK.
He first lost his case at the High Court in 2006 before taking it to the highest court in the UK, the House of Lords.
Computer nerd
The US government claims he committed a malicious crime - the biggest military computer hack ever.
The authorities have warned that without his co-operation and a guilty
plea the case could be treated as terrorism and he could face a long
jail sentence.
The former systems analyst is accused of hacking into the computers with the intention of intimidating the US government.
It alleges that between February 2001 and March 2002, he hacked into
dozens of US Army, Navy, Air Force, and Department of Defense
computers, as well as 16 Nasa computers.
Prosecutors say he altered and deleted files at a naval
air station not long after the 11 September attacks in 2001, rendering
critical systems inoperable.
However, Mr McKinnon has said his motives were harmless and innocent. He denies any attempts at sabotage.
He said he wanted to find evidence of UFOs he thought was being held by
the US authorities, and to expose what he believed was a cover-up.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/7585861.stm
!-Comment-!We send our support out to Gary and his family. European Court Hearing date established for August 28 in front of full chamber - somewhat sooner than the 2 years some cases apparently take[?!]
It seems some behind-the-scenes discussion led to the closing ranks of the Law Lords considering the appeal which isn't surprising given current UK-USA relations over the amplified 'terror' status. It's still a sad indictment on the UK however - we have been previously known for our liberal support of what some consider modern human rights. The published outcome was less of a shock though when we learn that the leading author was Intelligence Services Commissioner - not a role that has a 'retirement' period perhaps?!
There is still the European Human Rights Court
avenue to pursue however as is pointed out in comments below to a
community email list - I suggest that Gary's case will not pull in the
required support of such an organisation.
We've seen how the US intelligence services and
traditional media have linked Gary's actions to that of "cyber hacker"
and "terrorist" - both these misleading terms are sufficient on their
own to reduce those willing to offer support but add on the UFO and
alternative energy tags and such a case becomes still further isolated.
Not only have the usual left-wing and libertarian
groups failed to align themselves with Gary's plight - but most of the
UFO and Exopolitics field have offered limited support also. !-End-!
Yes - we've been running
various awareness campaigns since Gary's case escalated to the point of
the extradition demands. More recently we distributed template letters
people could send in to the Uk Parliament, MPs and finally the Law
Lords direct office at the Houses of Parliament.
With
regards a current campaign - we are waiting to see what effect
something like this will have given today's outcome. The current
situation is that Gary and his legal team can apply to the European
Court of Human Rights to stop the process based on several elements
that make the process rushed, unsafe and unfair. However - as I've
written elsewhere we have a significant problem due to the nature of
Gary's "crime" which means that the usual left-wing/liberal
organisations that come to the aid of *other* cases won't put their
head above the proverbial parapet and join Gary for support.
On top of this - the clever association of Gary's truth seeking
[which is what it was] to both "hacking" and "cyber-terrorism" by the
embarrassed U.S. and transnational M.I.C. has meant that even people
within the UFO/exopolitics field have buckled and, in my view, failed
to respond to offer significant support where it was due and deserved.
What we essentially have summerised in the McKinnon case is a
real-world example of what happens when someone attempts something
tangiable in the search for disclosure and truth with regards the UFO
phenomena and free energy systems. It's all very well having a
blinkered, optimistic idea of how to push things forward to a new world
and new paradigm but this cannot happen without casualities along the
way - it's the nature of the beast we're collectively tackling.
It's sad that when someone needed a full-on response from a [not
insignificant] UFO/Exopolitics community it did not happen. Seeing this
take place has made me doubtful that this field has the ability to deal
with some of the harsher incidents that will occur as we continue to
push for a more open, ethical system with regards energy and off-planet
communication. It's all very well asking us to smile and embrace the
coming disclosure but this will be a tainted new world post-disclosure
if we don't support those that fall along the wayside through no real
fault of their own.
davID
Exopolitics UK
--
BBC Article - 30th July 2008
Hacker loses extradition appeal
Briton accused of hacking into top secret military computers has
lost a Law Lords appeal against being extradited to stand trial in the
US.
Glasgow-born Gary McKinnon could face life in jail if convicted of accessing 97 US military and Nasa computers.
He has admitted breaking into the computers from his London home but said he was seeking information on UFOs.
The 42-year-old's lawyers said they would apply to the European Court of Human Rights to prevent his removal.
Mr McKinnon first lost his case at the High Court in 2006 before taking it to the highest court in the UK, the House of Lords.
American officials involved in this case have stated that they want to see him 'fry'
Gary McKinnon's lawyers
He was arrested in 2002 but never charged in the UK.
The US government claims he committed a malicious crime - the biggest military computer hack ever.
The authorities have warned that without his co-operation and a guilty
plea the case could be treated as terrorism and he could face a long
jail sentence.
A statement by solicitors for McKinnon, who was not at the
Lords to hear the judgement, said: "Gary McKinnon is neither a
terrorist nor a terrorist sympathiser.
"His case could have been properly dealt with by our own
prosecuting authorities. We believe that the British government
declined to prosecute him to enable the US government to make an
example of him.
"American officials involved in this case have stated that they want to see him 'fry'.
"The consequences he faces if extradited are both disproportionate and intolerable."
'Computer nerd'
Their client is accused of hacking into the computers with the intention of intimidating the US government.
It alleges that between February 2001 and March 2002, he hacked
into dozens of US Army, Navy, Air Force, and Department of Defense
computers, as well as 16 Nasa computers.
Prosecutors say he altered and deleted files at a naval air
station not long after the 11 September attacks in 2001, rendering
critical systems inoperable.
Mr McKinnon, who is unemployed, has admitted that he accessed computers in the US without authority.
But he has said he is merely a computer nerd, whose motives were harmless and innocent. He denies any attempts at sabotage.
He said he wanted to find evidence of UFOs he thought was being
held by the US authorities, and to expose what he believed was a
cover-up.
Repatriated
The Law Lords were told by Mr McKinnon's lawyers that extraditing him would be an abuse of proceedings.
US authorities had threatened him with a long jail sentence if he did not plead guilty, they said.
If the case was treated as terrorism it could result in a
sentence of up to 60 years in a maximum security prison, should he be
found guilty on all six indictments.
With co-operation, he would receive a lesser sentence of 37 to 46
months and be repatriated to the UK, where he could be released on
parole and charges of "significantly damaging national security" would
be dropped.
But Clare Montgomery QC, representing the home secretary, argued no threats were made, and the extradition should go ahead.
» 14 Comments
14Comment at Sunday, 22 February 2009 22:46by Jose
The reason there do this to mckinnon b/c he know to much and they want him away from the public. So what the british and american are doing is illegal in many way he actually can be let go b/c they say he hack there system but they have no proof they only put forged evidence. so someone should break him free if the gov\\\'t want to illegally imprison him so there should be in attack there gov\\\'t to make them see the people aren\\\'t afraid of the gov\\\'t because people should\\\'t fear there gov\\\'t the gov\\\'t should fear the people
13"news" at Tuesday, 06 January 2009 02:25by mark t
Any news on what is happening to Gary's case and extradition?
12"Gary McKinnon" at Wednesday, 10 September 2008 16:41by Peter R. Oakes
Dear Benji I would just like to add that our so called justice system has sent an inoffensive man to a country with a vile human rights record. Well I hope the American law system has shot itself in the foot and the news is covered on british tv. Questions will be asked, Gary was after UFO Information I am after UFO information and thousand of other people are to. They should be pleased that Gary showed them that there defense system was floored, they are embarassed and want someone to take it out on.Now I no why the so called terrorists pulled of 9/11. The Americans have a bad security set up, the american people should start asking questions like how can ordinary joe bloggs McKinnon get into there security system which uses billions of dollars of there money.
11Comment at Wednesday, 10 September 2008 16:12by Peter R. Oakes
Dear Benji Mac I totally agree the law system is corrupt , you can rob a bank and harm no one but your sentence will be bigger than if you beat up someones granny for a couple quid . To the powers that be we are not people with feelings we are just a numbers in the power game . The only time we mean anything to politicians is when it comes to voting or wars to fight and after you have voted they suddenly and mysteriously go deaf and forget what they promised.The pompus law lords revel in there power, they love playing god with peoples lives . What would there ruling have been had the British people revolted over the extradition of Gary McKinnon with the same ferocity that was shown over the poll tax. Maybe thats the problem we have forgot how to stick together.
10"McKinnon Comments" at Tuesday, 09 September 2008 15:57by davID
Interesting range of comments here: http://p10.hostingprod.com/@spybl og.org.uk/freegary/2008/09/demonstration -in-support-of-gary-mckinnon-at-the-home -office---some-reports.html#comments -- -> There are many who really haven't grasped the case and yet still make supposedly informed comments on it. Welcome to the internet age - where 5 mins online makes you an expert! davID
9"Shame..." at Friday, 29 August 2008 02:36by Benji Mac
What a screwed up system when someone who harms no-one and was after nothing for himself gets this treatment from a British legal system.
8Comment at Monday, 25 August 2008 22:00by davID
Totally agree simon - the response has been supportive mostly but my inbox and forums are also full of ppl who have fallen for the media "cyber terror" misinformation agenda.
7"freedom of information" at Monday, 25 August 2008 14:49by simon
can't believe that there are those here not supporting mckinnon. the government has for decades covered up this subject to the huge detriment of humankind, and mckinnon attempted to uncover some actual information, rather than let everything continue in darkness and lies. he is to be lauded for trying to shine some light on the situation.
6Comment at Friday, 01 August 2008 18:39by davID
Re: River Gypsy: thanks for your comments.
This is all about perspective - McKinnon was seeking truths that have been hidden away that could change humanity for the better. To many people - laws may need to be broken in this case... especially as no-one got hurt in the process... in fact it sounds as if you and many others have fallen for the line put out by the military that "damage" was done when this is wrong and a diversion.
The point i was making was that *some* [not all] in the UFO/Exo community are happy to have things as an intellectual exercise or Utopian disclosure dream but when real life examples which symbolise this struggle come about they either can't handle it or pretend it isn't happening.
5Comment at Friday, 01 August 2008 01:13by river gypsy
Asking the ufological community to voice its collective opinions and feelings in support of the bigger picture is one thing David, but asking it to do so irrespective of the blatantly stupid actions of a man allegedly looking for secret government data relating to UFOs is, however, quite another.
I would be interested to read of your thoughts on this view.
Regards and best,
Robert.
4Comment at Friday, 01 August 2008 01:07by river gypsy
Hi. Exactly what stance do you feel that the ufological community should be taking over the McKinnon issue given that the guy pulled a decidedly stupid stunt and- like anyone else of average intelligence- would have know only too well what the probable consequences would be in the event of his being discovered?
3"Mrs" at Thursday, 31 July 2008 15:41by Sharon Ann Brown
The secrecy of the Gov is, in my opinion a much graver crime than that of Mr mcKinnon\\\'s. There will come a time when when enquiring minds will have a source of truth on the inform-ation about things that effect the collective whole. I believe that Mr McKinnon is a prisoner of conscience and should be released immediately and recharged with hacking offences in line with all hacking sentences.
2Comment at Thursday, 31 July 2008 02:02by davID
No, not normal of course but he didn't "hack" anything - it was 99% open and unprotected.
Anyway - sometimes the truth demands extreme action - someone is deciding what we can and cannot see - National security just doesn't wash anymore - it may have done in 1950.
1Comment at Thursday, 31 July 2008 00:12by Derrll5
wish you the best but the mckinnon actions are far from normal use of a computer online
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American officials involved in this case have stated that they want to see him 'fry'
