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25 May 2011
Barack Obama has given the strongest hint yet that the US may be willing to drop extradition proceedings against British hacker Gary McKinnon, after saying on Wednesday that the matter is in the hands of the UK government.
During a joint press conference with prime minister David Cameron, Obama reportedly said that the case is "in the hands of the British legal system", giving hope to McKinnon campaigners who have argued that he should be tried in the UK because he suffers from mental health problems.
Cameron acknowledged "the anguish of [McKinnon's] mother and his family about this issue", but said that the case is still in front of home secretary Theresa May, who will decide whether McKinnon should be extradited.
May has made it clear that she will listen to new representations from McKinnon's legal team and supporters.
McKinnon's mother, Janis Sharp, immediately wrote on Twitter that the announcement by Obama "was positive" and that she hoped there would be a "speedy and good conclusion" to the issue.
McKinnon is accused of breaking into the computer systems of Nasa and the Pentagon when looking for what he claimed was information on UFOs. He could face up to 60 years in a maximum security prison if found guilty in the US.
McKinnon's supporters have campaigned against his extradition on the ground that he has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and may not be able to cope with the stress of being sent abroad.
The case has rumbled on for several years with successive prime ministers and presidents taking different stances.
V3.co.uk readers have been far clearer in their view on McKinnon, arguing that his hacking skills should earn him a government job.
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A Citizen of USA "Let Gary GO"
I do not see where this young mans finding out that we have been lied to by our own government should be punished; BUT PRAISED. I am so sick and tired of the lies being told us about our Star Families that have been with us since the beginning. Our Go government can snoop on us as we chat but a man cannot share truth he stumbled on with his expertise of the PC. NOW stop holding this being for BEING HONEST. We should be ashamed of ourselves; a Nation that is to protect its people wants to punish a young man from (a country that has also lied to its people Hee Hee) because his savey at his clicking the right stuff on the PC he FOUND some lies; that truth is being held from us. Well I think both countries leaders should be praising him. TRUTH TRUTH TRUTH ~~~~ SHALL set you lieing-coutrymen Free. YEP. How about it~~~~~ Bring out the truth like you are told to do and allow humanity to move on. I am tired of the Rat Race you have been putting us through. YEP. Dear Momma McKinnon Sharp please know that many American's would like to shake the hand of your son for sharing truth he discovered on a site that was marked "Classified" Which to many of we USA Citizens as "HEY shut up do not let the Citizens know anything about -we are not alone and that they have hidden technology from us that would help humanity and refuse to do so because of Greed." YEP!! I found this site looking for updates; not PC savey a challenge for me. This is a great find; thanks for posting updates; because we do not want to forget this brave man. (God I hope this is not a theater stunt like I have been reading about; putting a teeny truth with a whole lot of mis and dis info.Using actors--Noooooooo) OMG I saw Proj Cam had interviewed him; they are controlled as to what they can put out to us; Pleace give us truth here; we NEED TRUTH TRUTH TRUTH. Forgive my wondering for there is so much lying going on that to KNOW THE TRUTH would really be amazing. LET GARY GO USA and UK and begin telling the truth; IT WILL BE THE BEST for Humanity. PLEASE!!!!!!!! Nanmaste' Nancy L. Bisset (make me proud of my country--P l e a s e ~~~~.
Posted by: Nancy L. Bisset 06 Jan 2012
But out Obama
Obama should keep his beak out of British affairs and go back to paying off his national debt to china.
Posted by: Heather Kai 22 Sep 2011
Too optimistic?
I think you are reading too much into what has actually being said. Being prepared to accept the British decision on extradition does not quite mean the same as being willing to drop extradition proceedings, not does it mean a willingness to let Mr McKinnon be tried in the UK. I think President Obama is fairly confident that the latest multi-national agreements on cyberwar, etc., means that the UK will work to the absolute letter of the law and that should extradition be denied it will be because Mr McKinnon has met the conditions fully, and not because of any anti-American feeling or misguided and ill-informed passionate opposition from the press or the public.
Posted by: PaulK 27 May 2011
Obama should be extradited for treason on humanity
yea that's it you disgusting president that likes to sell humans out to alien abduction.....the US GOV. is a joke,just like all the presidents we had since 1947...all of them should be executed for treason on the human race
Posted by: james conklin 26 May 2011
Mckinnon is a hero
If President Obama is smart, he will meet with Mr. Mckinnon and find out what he himself probably doesn't know. The fact that planet earth has been and continues to be visited by aliens. And that secret government "thugs" have threatened the people for decades!!!
Posted by: Rick Bonner 25 May 2011