U.K. gov't to hear hacker's case against extradition to U.S.

July 31, 2007 (Computerworld UK) -- Gary McKinnon, the ex-systems administrator accused of conducting the biggest military hack of all time, has won the right to have his case against extradition to the U.S. heard by the U.K. House of Lords.

The decision gives McKinnon and legal team a fresh chance to challenge the extradition, having argued previously that the U.S. authorities acted in an "oppressive" manner to secure his removal from the U.K.

McKinnon has always maintained that, since the alleged offenses took place in the U.K., that is where he should stand trial. No date has been set for the House of Lords hearing, and he remains on bail.

"Gary McKinnon is delighted to learn of this important development," said his barrister, Ben Cooper.

McKinnon, who is accused of causing $961,000 worth of damage to computers by hacking into systems belonging to the Pentagon, NASA and the U.S. military from his home in North London, could face a life sentence in jail with no chance of repatriation if he is extradited to the U.S. (