LONDON (Reuters) – An Israeli private investigator wanted by the United States for allegedly carrying out a “hacking for hire” campaign at the behest of an Exxon Mobil lobbyist on Wednesday lost his fight against extradition from Britain.
Amit Forlit, 57, is facing charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and computer hacking relating to his alleged targeting of environmental activists, his lawyers said in January, confirming Reuters’ earlier reporting.
Forlit, who was arrested at London’s Heathrow Airport last year, argued he should not be sent to the U.S. because – as his charges relate to climate change litigation against Exxon – his prosecution is “unquestionably political”.
His objections to extradition were rejected and his case was sent to British ministers to decide whether to send Forlit to the U.S., though Forlit can challenge the decision at the High Court.
(Reporting by Sam Tobin; Editing by Kate Holton)
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