WebProNews

The European Court of Human Rights has asked Britain to hold off on sending a computer hacker to the United States to face trial until it can review his request to stop his extradition.

The court said it needs to review Gary McKinnon's complaint that he could face inhumane prison conditions if convicted in the United States.

"The applicant should not be extradited to the United States before midnight on 29 August," so the court can examine his request at its next meeting on August 28, it said in a statement.

McKinnon lost his appeal in July in Britain's highest court, the House of Lords, which ruled the seriousness of the charges would carry a maximum life sentence under English law for what has been called "the biggest military hack of all time."

McKinnon's lawyers said the case was not handled properly by prosecuting authorities. "We believe that the British government declined to prosecute him to enable the US government to make an example of him. American officials involved in this case have stated they want to see him 'fry'."

If convicted of hacking the Pentagon, U.S. army, navy and NASA, McKinnon faces up to 70 years in prison and fines of up to $1.75 million.

McKinnon was never charged in Britain but did admit to hacking military computers in the U.S. and claimed he was searching for evidence that aliens existed.