Free Gary McKinnon - The UK / US Fight for Freedom
July 16th 2009 13:15
When I first visited freegary.org.uk I was unsure what I would find. The news reports claimed Gary was being extradited to the United States for hacking into the United States government computer system. Upon further reading, I found that Gary was searching for proof of alien life during his hacking exploits. It should also be noted, as is the case in many online reports, that Gary suffers from Asperger Syndrome.
The reason this case is so interesting, is due to the celebrity support of Gary McKinnon. Celebrities are coming out of the woodwork to support Gary's fight to be tried in his own country as opposed to being extradited to the United States. As a citizen of the US, I totally understand, but on what grounds should this criminal be given the ability to choose his own court of law? The answer is the Asperger Syndrome.
I knew Asperger Syndrome was a form of Autism, but did not completely understand the disease - so I researched. From the information found online through .edu and .gov websites, the condition is social in nature but not physical limitations or symptoms were listed. How then, is the health of Gary McKinnon threatened by extradition?
Not Accusing - Just Wondering?!
The information on this case is all over the Internet. The crime of hacking was not just an accidental hack - but a hack into 90 US computer systems (including the Pentagon computer systems). If Gary McKinnon had hacked into one, maybe an accident - two, could still be accidental but 90 computer system hacks.
The facts do not need to be collected against Gary McKinnon because he admitted to hacking into the computer systems on March 19th, 2002 in a sworn statement. The statement as posted on Computerweekly.com reads, "On 19th March 2002 I was arrested at my home address in London and interviewed for offences under the Misuse Computer Act 1990. I was taken to Holloway police station where I was interviewed by DCs Donson and Brownless of the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit. I was interviewed in respect of unauthorised access to computers in the US. I was then released on bail until 9th October 2002 during which time discussions took place between the CPS and the US authorities. In September 2002 I was informed that I would not need to answer bail because the US would be seeking my extradition." The United States informed McKinnon that he would be extradited, but that process took 39 months and Gary thought the problem was swept under the rug during that time.
This case is ongoing and I will continue to follow the case and report the outcome.
The reason this case is so interesting, is due to the celebrity support of Gary McKinnon. Celebrities are coming out of the woodwork to support Gary's fight to be tried in his own country as opposed to being extradited to the United States. As a citizen of the US, I totally understand, but on what grounds should this criminal be given the ability to choose his own court of law? The answer is the Asperger Syndrome.
I knew Asperger Syndrome was a form of Autism, but did not completely understand the disease - so I researched. From the information found online through .edu and .gov websites, the condition is social in nature but not physical limitations or symptoms were listed. How then, is the health of Gary McKinnon threatened by extradition?
Not Accusing - Just Wondering?!
The information on this case is all over the Internet. The crime of hacking was not just an accidental hack - but a hack into 90 US computer systems (including the Pentagon computer systems). If Gary McKinnon had hacked into one, maybe an accident - two, could still be accidental but 90 computer system hacks.
The facts do not need to be collected against Gary McKinnon because he admitted to hacking into the computer systems on March 19th, 2002 in a sworn statement. The statement as posted on Computerweekly.com reads, "On 19th March 2002 I was arrested at my home address in London and interviewed for offences under the Misuse Computer Act 1990. I was taken to Holloway police station where I was interviewed by DCs Donson and Brownless of the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit. I was interviewed in respect of unauthorised access to computers in the US. I was then released on bail until 9th October 2002 during which time discussions took place between the CPS and the US authorities. In September 2002 I was informed that I would not need to answer bail because the US would be seeking my extradition." The United States informed McKinnon that he would be extradited, but that process took 39 months and Gary thought the problem was swept under the rug during that time.
This case is ongoing and I will continue to follow the case and report the outcome.
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Summer Banks
Romance Writers
