On Friday the Westminster Magistrates' Court district Judge Nina Tempia granted the United States' request to extradite British student and activist Lauri Love from the UK.
Mr. Love and his family have campaigned for several years to prevent the UK courts from issuing an extradition order,which would mean Love would face trial in the US.
Love, who suffers from Asperger syndrome, has also played a crucial role in student movements in Glasgow from 2011-12.
Love was first arrested in October 2013 for alleged offences under the UK's Computer Misuse Act.
Then in July 2015 Love was arrested again by UK officials — this time at the behest of the US government, who had issued several indictments and corresponding extradition warrants.
The FBI and Department of Justice allege that Love has been involved in hacking into various governmental agencies, including the US Army, NASA, the Federal Reserve and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Accused cyber hacker Lauri Love sings defiantly outside Westminster Magistrates' Court pic.twitter.com/Jw9fkLm971
— Georgina Stubbs (@georginafstubbs) 16 September 2016
Lauri's campaign group, the Courage Foundation, who also funded his defence, spoke to Sputnik.
Donate to help #LauriLove in his fight against both the US and UK authorities! https://t.co/B0XOvf8M2T #NoLove4USGov pic.twitter.com/uNSwQ0H7aX
— Free Lauri Love (@NoLove4USGov) March 31, 2016
Sarah Harrison, director of the Courage Foundation said that this was a very "disappointing ruling."
"I know that Lauri's legal team will apply to appeal this ruling, and the Courage Foundation will continue to support Lauri until his safety is assured," Ms. Harrison told Sputnik.
