Who is Lauri Love? FBI hacking suspect who won appeal against extradition to the US
Activist and engineering student with Asperger's syndrome would have faced up to 99 years in US prison
THE EXTRADITION of an activist accused of hacking into the computer systems of US Government departments has been cancelled after a High Court appeal.
But who is exactly Lauri Love and why are the Americans so keen to see him face trial?
Who is Lauri Love?
Lauri Love is a 33-year-old activist and engineering student who lives with parents near Newmarket, Suffolk.
His father, Alexander Love, is a prison chaplain at HMP Highpoint North, where his mother also works.
Mr Love has Asperger's syndrome, depression and eczema.
His lawyers put his health problems forward as an argument against his extradition - telling hearings he would be a suicide risk.
Mr Love, who has dual nationality in the UK and Finland, has studied at Nottingham and Glasgow Universities and most recently attended the University of Suffolk.
Prior to his studies, in 2009, he registered as a conscientious objector for his national service in Finland.
What does he stand for?
Mr Love was an activist in the Occupy movement while at university.
In Glasgow he occupied university buildings with fellow students in a protest against cuts, course closures and job losses.
In March 2011 he took part in the March for the Alternative in London - a website supporting the activist claims he was among 150 people arrested that day.
Later that year Mr Love took part in the occupation of George Square, Glasgow.
In 2012 he moved back to Suffolk when his protests are alleged to have moved online.
What is he alleged to have done?
Mr Love is accused of stealing huge amounts of data from US government agencies including the Federal Reserve, US Army, Department of Defence, Nasa, and the FBI in 2012 and 2013.
It has been claimed that the attacks were part of #OpLastResort, an operation allegedly spearheaded by hacking group Anonymous.
Mr Love is under indictment in three districts - New Jersey, New York South and East Virginia.
He was first arrested at his Suffolk home in 2013, when computers were seized by cops.
But, the UK investigation into his alleged crimes was later dropped, without charges being brought against him.
Supporters have said no one was hurt as a result of the alleged hacking and Mr Love did not benefit financially.
What happens next?
Mr Love will not be sent to America for trial after winning a tense appeal against Home Secretary Amber Rudd's extradition order.
His lawyer had said that if he is found guilty in America he could face up to 99 years behind bars.
High Court judges blocked his extradition but added it would "not be oppressive" to "prosecute Mr Love in England for the offences" - meaning he could still be tried here.
Mr Love, speaking outside the court, said he was "very thankful for all the support" he had received.
He said he hoped he had set a "precedent so this will not happen to people in the future".