14 DAY TRIAL // The British computer expert Gary McKinnon has lost a four year long legal battle against extradition to the United States as Home Secretary John Reid granted the US request to extradite Mr McKinnon for trial on 4th July. Gary McKinnon, AKA "Solo" has admitted his guilt as to the alleged hacking into almost 100 U.S. Army, Navy and NASA systems from London. Solo faces fraud and computer-related charges for hacking for exploiting the lax security level of the systems, motivated by a search for "suppressed technology."
U.S. government claims that Solo caused $700,000 in damages and that he rendered critical systems inoperable at Earle Naval Weapons Station in northern New Jersey. Also he stands accused of completely deleting confidential files and rendering the Army's military network in Washington inoperable for 24 hours. In addition, the Justice Department stated that for the servers to return to full operating status following the attack it took approximately an entire month.
In the eventuality of a conviction, Gary McKinnon could be sentenced to a total of 70 years prison term and up to $1.75 million in fines, which many of his supporters see as a completely out of proportion in comparison with his crime. Solo can appeal the decision within two weeks.