- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faces a court hearing in London that could see him sent to the United States on spying charges or given him another chance to appeal his extradition.
- The United States has assured judges that Mr. Assange’s rights will be protected and that he will not face the death penalty if he is extradited, but Mr. Assange’s lawyers say they are not doing enough to be trusted. claims.
- Assange was indicted on 17 counts of espionage and one count of computer abuse for publishing classified US documents on his website nearly 15 years ago.
Julian Assange faces a key hearing at London’s High Court on Monday that could end with him being sent to the United States to face spying charges, or he could be given another chance to appeal his extradition bid.
The WikiLeaks founder, who has spent the past five years in a British prison, did not appear in court to hear his fate discussed. His lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald, said he did not attend for health reasons.
The outcome of the hearing will depend on how much weight the judge gives to assurances from U.S. officials that Mr. Assange’s rights will not be trampled upon if he goes to trial.
Australian MP sends letter to Biden on World Press Freedom Day asking him to drop case against Julian Assange
In March, two judges rejected most of Mr. Assange’s arguments, saying the United States would not guarantee that he would not face the death penalty and have the same freedom of speech rights as American citizens if he is extradited. As far as possible, he said, Assange’s case could be taken to the Court of Appeal.
The court said that if Assange, an Australian citizen, could not rely on the First Amendment, his extradition could be inconsistent with the European Convention on Human Rights, which also provides freedom of speech and media protections. .
Although the United States has provided such reassurances, Mr. Assange’s lawyers and supporters say they are not reliable enough to send him to federal court.
A demonstrator holds a placard outside the High Court in London on May 20, 2024. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faces a hearing at London’s High Court on Monday that could see him sent to the United States on spying charges or given another chance. to appeal his extradition. (AP Photo/Kin Chung)
The United States said Mr. Assange may seek to rely on First Amendment rights and protections, but the decision on that would ultimately rest with a judge. The United States has said in the past that it would argue in court that Assange is not entitled to constitutional protections because he is not a U.S. citizen.
“The United States has limited itself to blatant weasel language claiming that Mr. Julian’s extradition would allow him to ‘seek to invoke’ the First Amendment,” said Stella Assange, Mr. Julian’s wife. . “This diplomatic document did nothing to alleviate his family’s extreme distress over his prospects of spending the rest of his life in isolation in a U.S. prison for publishing award-winning journalism. Ta.”
Assange, 52, is charged with 17 counts of espionage and one count of computer abuse for publishing a trove of classified US documents on his website nearly 15 years ago. U.S. prosecutors allege that Assange encouraged and assisted U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to steal diplomatic cables and military files released by WikiLeaks.
Commuters emerging from the subway station near the courthouse could not miss the large sign with a picture of Assange and the words: “Publishing is not a crime. War crimes are crimes.” A crowd of supporters gathered outside the neo-Gothic Royal Courts of Justice, chanting “Free Julian Assange” and “Freedom of the press, freedom for Assange”.
Some held large white banners aimed at President Joe Biden and urged “Let Joe go.”
Mr. Assange’s lawyers say he could face up to 175 years in prison if convicted, but U.S. authorities believe that any sentence would be much, much longer. It is likely that it will be shorter.
Mr Assange’s family and supporters say his mental and physical health has suffered from more than a decade of legal battles, including seven years spent inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London from 2012 to 2019. states that it is Assange has spent the past five years in a high-security facility in Britain. prison.
Mr Assange’s lawyers argued in February that he was a journalist who exposed US military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. They said sending him to the United States would expose him to politically motivated prosecution and risk a “blatant denial of justice.”
The U.S. government argues that Assange’s actions go far beyond the actions of a journalist gathering information and amount to an attempt to solicit, steal and indiscriminately publish classified government documents.
If Mr. Assange wins on Monday, it would set the stage for an appeals process that is likely to extend what is already a long legal battle.
If the court accepts the US’s word, it would end Mr Assange’s legal challenge in the UK, but it is unclear what will happen immediately.
His legal team is prepared to ask the European Court of Human Rights to intervene. But his supporters fear Assange could be extradited before a court in Strasbourg, France, halts his removal.
Justices Victoria Sharp and Jeremy Johnson may also postpone issuing their judgments.
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Even if Assange loses in court, he may still have a chance at freedom.
Mr Biden said last month he was considering asking Australia to withdraw the case and return Mr Assange to his home country.
Officials did not provide any other details, but Stella Assange said it was a “good sign” and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the comments were encouraging.
