Monday 25 July 2016

Lauri Love: Decision Nears For Alleged Hacker




A judge is set to rule on the extradition of Briton Lauri Love, who faces a possible prison sentence of up to 99 years in the US.

Love is accused of being involved in a hack called #OpLastResort, which targeted parts of the US Army, the US Federal Reserve and NASA, as part of Anonymous in early 2013.

If he is extradited, he faces a maximum potential prison sentence of 99 years, according to his legal team.
District Judge Nina Tempia will not announce her ruling on 25 July, but is expected to give a date for her announcement.
                          

Both sides will be able to appeal against the ruling.
Love told Sky News: "It's been difficult.

"I was already quite unwell at the time of my arrest, I had long term depression and anxiety issues and being arrested, well that was stressful enough, and facing the extradition is a whole quantum leap above that.


"Luckily I've got a great support network of friends and family, and the courage foundation, and lots of people on the internet who have got my back and are in my corner, which helps, but I wouldn't wish this on anyone."

Gemma Lindfield, an extradition barrister, told Sky News: "It's always very difficult to challenge extradition.
"The courts tend to proceed on the basis that every extradition request is made in good faith.
"However, it seems that he does have a number of good arguments to raise.

"And so although it will be an uphill struggle, it's not a foregone conclusion."
The hearing follows two days of witness testimony earlier in July.

Westminster magistrates heard about Love's diagnoses for depression and Asperger's syndrome.
He described the "urges, despair, helplessness and hopelessness" that would compel him to exercise "the one thing I would have control of - my body".

With his parents, a prison chaplain and a prison officer watching, Love told the court that "he couldn't imagine anything worse" for him than being imprisoned in the US.
"I don't entertain any prospect of justice in the USA," he said.

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