High Court Blocks US Extradition of Vulnerable Autistic Man

Judge overturns US extradition for Diogo Santos Coelho, prioritizing Portugal due to mental health and family ties.

Sep 20, 2025

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A high court judge has overturned the Home Office's decision to prioritize US extradition over Portugal's request for Diogo Santos Coelho, a 25-year-old Portuguese man with autism facing cybercrime charges.

Coelho, who ran the hacking forum RaidForums, was allegedly groomed online from age 14 and exploited by adults. He faces up to 52 years in US prison but has been assessed as high suicide risk and wants to face justice in Portugal, his home country, where he has family support.

Justice Linden ruled that former Home Secretary James Cleverly failed to properly consider Coelho's mental health, autism diagnosis, victim status under modern slavery laws, and family connections. The current Home Secretary must now reconsider the decision, allowing Coelho to argue why Portugal should take priority.

Source: The Guardian

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