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But on the other hand he is suspect, until convicted (probabilities, who cares, system does not work by probabilities).

Right he is a suspect regardless if it’s for hacking or extortion.

We don’t call him a hacker because he hasn’t been convicted. Your statement seems to miss the point of the parent comment.

What point? That we should not call convicted extortionist a hacker? I sure agree with you, but we (outsiders) should not call unconvictected (regardless of their previous history) people a hacker or extorsionist either.

> we (outsiders) should not call unconvictected…people a hacker or extorsionist

Beyond reasonable doubt to take someone’s freedom. Not to privately judge them.

If he ends up not guilty, your not-so-private judgement is a defamation.

In the US, defamation requires either knowledge of falsehood or reckless disregard for the truth. It's not reckless disregard for the truth to say someone who's been arrested for a crime did that crime, even if it may be premature.

"alleged extortionist"

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