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Leader: Should McKinnon be extradited?
Is it really a case of 'if you can't do the time... '?

By silicon.com

Published: Friday 07 July 2006

When did we all get so caring and liberal? Twelve months ago the majority of people who responded to articles on silicon.com about the punishments which should be meted out to hackers were of the 'hang 'em and flog 'em' mindset.

Now that the extradition of Gary McKinnon, who it should not be forgotten hacked into several US military systems, has been granted by the Home Office there is uproar and a serious division in people's opinions.

The majority of us, it would seem, are of the opinion McKinnon should not be handed over to the government he so wronged. Research from antivirus company Sophos today found that 52 per cent of respondents oppose his extradition.

Perhaps this is because we realise the US is unlikely to give him a fair trial, given his actions trampled over the highly sensitive line marked 'Homeland Security' - but can we really say, hand on heart, that this man, who rather idiotically claims he was looking for proof of UFOs, posed a serious threat to world peace, or even the sanctity of the US?

We suspect McKinnon's concerns about being sent to Guantanamo Bay may be a case of playing to the crowd and trying to find some heart strings to pull on in UK legal circles. But irrespective of how far wide of the mark that proves, there are still very real concerns the US will make an example of McKinnon, above and beyond the punishment - and he should certainly be punished - warrant.

When it is faceless individuals committing these crimes it's very easy to say lock 'em up and throw away the key but McKinnon's plight has been publicised to a degree where he has been humanised to all of us.

The genuine fear we've seen in his face while attending his court hearings certainly make it difficult to condone the UK government's decision to hand this man over to the US.

But if you commit a crime against a country it stands to reason you should be tried in that country. Doesn't it?

It's just a shame that UK government has probably made its decision based not on that common sense approach (or at least it would be common sense if we could be sure the US will try McKinnon accordingly) but on the basis that the US has asked for something and the Home Office has dutifully rolled over and given them what they want.