The computer activist Lauri Love has lost his appeal against extradition to the US, where he could face up to 99 years in prison for hacking into American missile defence centres and financial institutions.
The 31-year-old, who has Asperger’s syndrome, has been granted leave to appeal against the ruling, which was handed down at Westminster magistrates court by Judge Nina Tempia on Friday afternoon.
Love was granted bail pending further legal action. Supporters stormed out of court shouting “kangaroo court”.
There were gasps in the courtroom as Love was read the ruling, which followed a case hearing in June. He was told he had 14 days to appeal the decision.
Love embraced friends and family, who appeared shocked and angry by the decision.
“If you have come for justice then you have missed it,” Love told a crowd of press in the courtroom afterwards.
Outside the court, Karen Todner, Love’s solicitor, said she was very disappointed by the district judge’s ruling. She pledged to appeal against the decision, initially at the high court and, if necessary, to the supreme court and eventually the European court of human rights in Strasbourg.
“I feel awfully disappointed,” Todner said. “I thought we had done enough. I’m hopeful that the higher courts will consider the human rights issues.”
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SOURCE: The Guardian, Owen Bowcott
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