Further information: http://thecryptosphere.com/2015/07/16/alleged-hacker-lauri-love-arrested-in-uk-us-demands-extradition/
I have known Lauri for a while now, and we have both talked at length of our own struggles, shared some comforting advice and helped one another progress through difficulties as they arise. Today it deeply saddened and enraged me to hear his extradition has been demanded by the United States of Assholes.
Lauri Love is a British citizen. He lives in the UK. Therefore following this assumption, any alleged wrongdoing must fall within British laws. I, therefore, question why the need for extradition must exist when the frameworks for his prosecution in the UK are already in place if he was indeed guilty of any offense. Should he be found guilty of any offence then he should also be punished under British law, which is where he resides.
The only thoughts that cross my mind on why an extradition would be necessary are as follows; the US knows what evidence it has will not stand up to scrutiny in British courts. Protocols exist where evidence gathered overseas can be used against citizens in a UK court, and so it would seem logical to prosecute a person in their home country as it would be quicker, easier and cheaper for everyone involved. Furthermore, to prosecute Lauri in the UK would at least show some respect to British sovereignty and that British laws must rule the actions of it’s citizens.
Instead, the US has again sought to bring a person into their own territory for prosecution. I find this deeply insulting. Unlike many countries in the world, the US attempts to force the laws of its nation upon all people, irrespective of where they reside and assume their laws reign supreme over all others. If the UK or any other country where to make such an assumption, it is likely that the US would refuse to comply or kick up a fuss about the matter seeing it as an insult to them, without regard to their hypocrisy.
So I feel it is time to use this phrase, despite my hatred of it: If the US has nothing to hide in prosecuting Mr Love, why are they not using established protocols for the presentation of evidence in British courts? “Nothing to hide nothing to fear” huh? If the US has material that they feel is in some way privileged and thus cannot be handed over the UK, then this would be a clear violation of Article 6 of the EU Convention on Human Rights. In that case, the extradition request should be denied immediately.
On this matter, I stand firmly by Lauri’s side. So to the US government I would like to remind you that I am not a member of Anonymous, nor do I agree with many things that they do. But I do not forgive or forget either. You should perhaps look into your sins very deeply because new alliances are forming against you daily, and I am firmly within their ranks on this matter.