Home Secretary Alan Johnson has "stopped the clock" on Crouch End hacker Gary McKinnon's extradition to examine new medical evidence.
Computer hacker Gary McKinnon was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, earlier in his battle to be tried in the UK.
Mr McKinnon is accused of breaking into the US's military computer system but says he was just looking for evidence of UFOs.
Mr Johnson said he wanted to give Mr McKinnon's lawyers time to consider medical reports and make legal representations to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Earlier this month the High Court refused the 43-year-old permission to appeal to the UK's new Supreme Court.
Mr Johnson said: "We have stopped the clock ticking on the representation to the European Court because new medical evidence has been provided.
He added: "I have to ensure that his Article 3 human rights are being respected.
"It's that new medical evidence that I will be looking at very carefully."
Article 3 of the Human Rights Act stipulates that no one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
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