The mother of a UK computer hacker facing extradition to the US has called on President Barack Obama to intervene.
Janis Sharp spoke after her son, Gary McKinnon, 43, of London, who has Asperger's Syndrome, lost a court bid to avoid extradition.
The US wants to try Mr McKinnon for what it calls the biggest military computer hack ever in 2001/02. He maintains he was seeking UFO evidence.
Ms Sharp said: "Please hear us, Obama. I know you would do the right thing."
A letter has been sent to the US president signed by 40 British MPs asking him to step in and "bring this shameful episode to an end".
 |  I'm just praying, please hear us, Obama, because I know you would do the right thing  Janis Sharp Gary McKinnon's mother  |
Speaking outside the High Court, Ms Sharp said President Obama should help those campaigning on her son's behalf make the world "a more compassionate place".
"Obama wouldn't have this. He doesn't want the first guy extradited for computer misuse to be a guy with Asperger's [Syndrome], a UFO guy.
"I'm just praying, please hear us, Obama, because I know you would do the right thing," she added.
Glasgow-born Mr McKinnon admits hacking by accessing 97 government computers belonging to organisations such as the US Navy and Nasa, but denies it was malicious. He also denies the allegation he caused damage costing $800,000 (£487,000).
He has always insisted he was looking for classified documents on UFOs, which he believed the US authorities had suppressed.
Supreme Court challenge
Mr McKinnon has challenged refusals by the home secretary and the director of public prosecutions (DPP) to try him in the UK.
But the DPP refused to order a UK trial, saying the bulk of the evidence was located in the US and Mr McKinnon's actions were directed against the US military infrastructure.
 Gary McKinnon suffers from Asperger's Syndrome |
Mr McKinnon could face 60 years or more in prison if convicted in the US.
Whether or not he can appeal to the new UK Supreme Court - due to launch in October - will be decided later, Lord Justice Burnton, one of two High Court judges to hear his case, said earlier.
The court was also asked to rule on whether his Asperger's Syndrome - a form of autism - meant he could not be extradited to the US.
Mr McKinnon's lawyers argued extradition was "unnecessary, avoidable and disproportionate".
Karen Todner said her client was "clearly not equipped" to deal with the American penal system.
'Out to dry'
Tory leader David Cameron said the case raised "serious questions" about the extradition pact between the US and UK.
"Gary McKinnon is a vulnerable young man and I see no compassion in sending him thousands of miles away from his home and loved ones to face trial."
| US-UK EXTRADITION TREATY 2003 treaty, agreed in aftermath of 9/11 attacks Offence must be punishable by one year or more in jail in both countries US has to prove "reasonable suspicion" for extradition of a British citizen To extradite an American from the US, British must prove "probable cause" Since 2004, 46 people have been sent from the UK to the US for trial, and 27 from US to UK |
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne claimed the American government would not "hang one of their citizens out to dry in the same way".
"The [UK] government must ensure that the US-UK Extradition Treaty is repealed and that its replacement treats US and British citizens equally," he said.
But Home Secretary Alan Johnson insisted he had no power to demand the trial take place in the UK.
"Mr McKinnon is accused of serious crimes and the US has a lawful right to seek his extradition, as we do when we wish to prosecute people who break our laws."
He added that he had "clear assurances from the US" that Mr McKinnon's health and welfare needs would be met.
Mr McKinnon has already appealed unsuccessfully to the House of Lords and the European Court of Human Rights.
BBC
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