Wednesday, 10 May 2006, 12:06 GMT 13:06 UK
UK hacker Gary McKinnon should be recommended for extradition to the US, a district judge has ruled.
The decision means Mr McKinnon will face trial in America for what the US has called "the biggest military hack of all time".
Although he has admitted hacking US military networks, Mr McKinnon said he was motivated by curiosity not malice.
The final decision on whether he should be sent to the US for trial rests with the home secretary.
Hack attack
The decision was given at Bow Street Magistrates' Court in London and ends three years of uncertainty for Mr McKinnon.
Speaking outside the court after hearing the decision Mr McKinnon said: "It went as expected and now the appeals process can now start."
Karen Todner, Mr McKinnon's solicitor, said: "We're obviously very disappointed with the judgement that was given this morning. We're proposing to appeal this to the Secretary of State, and if we're still refused we will then appeal to the High Court for a decision to allow Gary to be tried here as a British citizen."
Mr McKinnon was first arrested in 2002 by the UK's National Hi-Tech Crime Unit for hacking into a series of computer networks used by the US Army, Navy, Air Force, and Department of Defense.
The US in its case for extradition said Mr McKinnon caused more than $700,000 (£375,235) of damage while exploring the computer networks at various US military institutions.
[link via New Scientist Technology Blog]
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