andrewducker: (Default)
andrewducker ([personal profile] andrewducker) wrote2009-07-31 11:25 am

Gary McKinnon

Can anyone explain to me, in nice simple English, why we shouldn't be extraditing a convicted hacker to the country where he commited the crime?  It really does seem like an open and shut case to me, and I'm baffled why some people seem to think it's wrong.

I'm clearly missing something - can someone explain it to me?

[identity profile] lebeautemps.livejournal.com 2009-07-31 09:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Extradition should be reciprocal, yes. My source confirms that this has been the case for some time - as well as the Act itself, there are long-standing guidelines as to the process, which sound completely sensible and even-handed for both sides.

Apart from whether this chap will get a fair hearing, there is a financial principle: if this chap has committed a crime and if the victims of that crime want to bring charges, or have charges brought on their behalf, shouldn't it the victim country that pays for the costs of prosecution? The alternative is that the UK Taxpayer foots the bill for a UK-based case which is not reasonable.