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McKinnon lawyers file last gasp extradition appeal

Gimme shelter

Lawyers for Pentagon hacker Gary McKinnon have filed a judicial review contesting the Home Secretary's recent decision to allow US extradition proceedings to proceed against the Asperger's sufferer. The widely anticipated move is perhaps McKinnon's last best hope of avoiding US trial and likely imprisonment on hacking charges.

Alan Johnson put McKinnon's extradition back into play last month after discounting medical evidence that the self-confessed hacker was potentially suicidal. The move was the latest in a long series of setbacks for McKinnon's family and legal team but still left the door open for a further judicial review, which was taken just before the end of an extended deadline on Thursday afternoon.

In a statement, Kaim Todner (McKinnon's solicitors) explained the content of their latest application for Judicial Review against Home Secretary's decision to extradite McKinnon.

The evidence served includes all previous medical reports together with an up to date psychiatric report on Gary's mental wellbeing and two reports, one English and one American, commenting on the assurances which have been provided on behalf of the US Government to accommodate Gary's illness. We hope that on receipt of these documents the Home Secretary may reflect and reconsider his position.

McKinnon and his supporters have fought a high-profile four year campaign against his extradition since 2005. Many fear that Johnson is attempting to fast-track McKinnon's extradition before Christmas. The latest of a series of demos by supporters is due to take place on 15 December outside the Home Office in London, as explained on the Free Gary support blog here.

Supporters originally planned to run a two part demo with first part outside the Home Office followed by a move to second demo outside Buckingham Palace afterwards but the plan was kyboshed by police. ®

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