Wednesday, 16 November 2016

Lauri Love Fears He Will Die Behind Bars

Lauri Love

Alleged computer hacker Lauri Love fears he will die behind bars after Home Secretary Amber Rudd authorised his extradition to the US.

Mr Love, 31, who has Asperger syndrome, spoke of his fears as his father called for "British justice for a British citizen".

Mr Love is alleged to have stolen huge amounts of data from US agencies including the Federal Reserve, the US Army, the Department of Defence, Nasa and the FBI in a spate of online attacks in 2012 and 2013.

US authorities have been fighting for Mr Love, who lives with his parents near Newmarket in Suffolk, to face trial on charges of cyber-hacking, which his lawyers say could mean a sentence of up to 99 years in prison if he is found guilty.

The Home Office said Ms Rudd had "carefully considered all relevant matters" before signing an order for Mr Love's extradition on Monday.

Mr Love told the Press Association he was "disappointed" at the decision, which may see him face three trials in separate US jurisdictions that could take up to a decade, and then up to a 99-year jail sentence.

He said: "Crimes involving computers seem to be prosecuted much more seriously than some violent crimes in the US especially. In the UK people have been prosecuted for crimes and misdemeanours online, have served proportionate sentences and been rehabilitated and contributed back to society. In the US there is no chance of being rehabilitated if you're serving 99 years in prison. I don't think that's the right policy.

"The other issue is there should be a distinction between crime that is for enrichment, for personal gain, for political activities and protests or people just exploring. Some people just want to practise their skills and because of a lack of a constructive way for them to do that they end up getting into trouble online, not because of any special malice."

One hundred and twenty MPs have signed a letter asking US President Barack Obama to cancel the extradition request, and Love will apply for permission to appeal against his extradition in the UK High Court.

He told the Daily Mail: "I don't think much of my future life prospects. I face decades and decades behind bars and at worst I may die.

"We were kind of expecting this but it's still a disappointment and a kick in the gut. I've got to watch my mental health now and make sure I have support. We will put as much as we can into the appeal."

The prolonged legal battle has left him battling eczema, sleep loss, depression and anxiety. His parents also struggle to sleep, and his father, the Rev Alexander Love, has suffered chest pains.

Reacting to Ms Rudd's decision, Mr Love told the Press Association: "It was going to happen - it was inevitable - but it's still painful. I cannot begin to express how much sorrow it causes me."

He added: "All we are asking for is British justice for a British citizen."

It is alleged that between October 2012 and October 2013 Mr Love caused "millions of dollars'" worth of damage by placing hidden "backdoors" within the networks he compromised, which would have allowed confidential data to be stolen.

Mr Love has said that a jail term in the US could cause his health to deteriorate and lead to a mental breakdown or suicide.

Sarah Harrison, director of the Courage Foundation, which runs Mr Love's defence fund and support campaign, said the decision to send him for trial in the US under Donald Trump's command "beggars belief".

Ms Harrison said: "I am dismayed to hear that Lauri Love's extradition request has been approved, as this puts him directly in harm's way and fails to protect his human rights.

"The US has ruthlessly persecuted hackers and digital activists for years and nobody expects that to improve under President Trump. Theresa May set a good example by protecting Gary McKinnon (another alleged hacker with Asperger syndrome) back in 2012.

"For a Home Secretary in her government now to willingly send a brilliant and vulnerable UK citizen to Donald Trump's America beggars belief."

Mr Love refused to say whether he admitted the allegations during repeated questioning by presenter Sarah Montague on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Asked how he would defend himself against the claims, he replied: "What I would probably have to say is I'm sorry for the prejudicial questions I was asked on national radio because we do these things in court for a reason."

Mr Love said the extradition decision was an "aberration of justice". He wants to face trial in the UK.

He told PA: "I'm not asking for any special treatment, just that UK law is used for a UK citizen, and that the US doesn't interfere in a perfectly functioning court system."


SHARE THIS

Author:

Etiam at libero iaculis, mollis justo non, blandit augue. Vestibulum sit amet sodales est, a lacinia ex. Suspendisse vel enim sagittis, volutpat sem eget, condimentum sem.

0 comments: