Stuck

Why we can't (or won't) move on from bad jobs, bad relationships, and bad habits, and how we can all move ahead.

Anneli Rufus is the author of many books, including Party of One: The Loners' Manifesto and Stuck: Why We Can't (or Won't) Move On. See full bio

October 9, 2009, Autism

Hacker with Asperger's Fears Extradition Will Cause His Suicide

Hacker with Asperger's loses extradition bid, faces US court.

A Scotsman with Asperger's Syndrome suffered a key setback today in his efforts to avoid extradition to the United States, where he faces charges of hacking into US Defense Department and Napa computers.

Gary McKinnon admits having hacked into the 97 computers in 2001 and 2002 and leaving the message "I will continue to disrupt." While the US government charges that this was a deliberate effort to breach defense systems, McKinnon claims he did it merely to seek information on UFOs. Today he was officially refused permission to appeal against the decision to extradite him, and cannot seek assistance from the newly created UK Supreme Court, according to news reports.

The 43-year-old could face a sixty-year prison sentence if found guilty here.

As the Guardian reported earlier this year, "the hacker argued that extradition would have disastrous consequences, including possible psychosis and suicide because of his autistic spectrum medical condition. McKinnon has spoken about his fears, saying that he wakes every morning 'feeling as though someone has taken a sledgehammer to my chest during the night.'"

And today, InTheNews offers this comment by Mark Lever, chief executive of the UK's National Autistic Society: "The NAS has been campaigning to ensure that Gary's Asperger syndrome is taken into account in the decision over his extradition. We are very disappointed by today's decision and feel hugely sympathetic towards Gary and his family who have been living under extreme stress for some time. People with Asperger syndrome are often much more vulnerable than appearances would suggest and can be highly susceptible to additional mental health problems. We will continue to offer advice and information on the condition to those involved with Gary's case."

The legal ramifications and precedents set by this case are well worth watching. We have yet to see many criminal charges filed against defendants with Asperger's, but given the rising rates and increased attention the syndrome is now attracting, we are likely to see more.