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Pentagon-hacking UFO hunter loses extradition appeal

By Europe correspondent Emma Alberici

Posted August 29, 2008 08:19:00

A British computer expert who hacked into dozens of US military computers has lost his appeal against extradition in the European Court of Human Rights.

Gary McKinnon admitted breaking into 79 US Army and Navy computers.

He hacked into the Pentagon site from his north London flat and left a message saying "your security is crap".

When he was caught the 42-year-old claimed he was just looking for information on UFOs.

American officials claim he caused $700,000 worth of damage and threatened national security.

If extradited to the US, he faces up to 70 years in jail.

Tags: defence-and-national-security, information-and-communication, internet, law-crime-and-justice, crime, courts-and-trials, international-law, united-kingdom, england, united-states