LONDON — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can appeal his extradition to the United States on spying charges, a London court ruled Monday. The ruling is likely to prolong what is already a long legal battle.
High Court judges Victoria Sharp and Jeremy Johnson said Mr Assange had grounds to challenge the British government’s extradition order. Mr. Assange faces 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer fraud over his publication of large amounts of classified U.S. documents on his own website nearly 15 years ago.
The Australian computer expert spent the past five years in a maximum security prison in the UK, after taking refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for seven years.
Mr. Assange faces 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer abuse for publishing a large amount of classified US documents on his website nearly 15 years ago. The Australian computer expert spent the past five years in a maximum security prison in the UK, after taking refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for seven years.
lawyer assange On Monday, the United States claimed the WikiLeaks founder had provided “blatantly inadequate” assurances that he would receive free press protections if he were extradited to the United States to face spying charges.
Lawyer Edward Fitzgerald is questioning whether Assange, an Australian citizen who claims journalistic protection for publishing classified US information, can rely on First Amendment protections for the press. He said that the prosecutor’s office could not guarantee that.
“The real question is whether sufficient guarantees are provided to eliminate the real risks identified by the court,” Fitzgerald said. “They say there is not enough guarantee.”
The trial at London’s High Court could end with Assange being extradited to the United States to face spying charges, or he could be given another chance to appeal. handing him over.
The outcome will depend on how much weight the judge gives to assurances from U.S. authorities that Mr. Assange’s rights will not be trampled upon if he goes to trial.
Assange, 52, was indicted on the 17th. Suspected spying The other charge involves computer abuse for publishing a trove of classified U.S. 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.
Mr Assange’s lawyers claim 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.
In March, two judges rejected most of Assange’s claims, but said: he could take the case to the Court of Appeals Unless the United States guarantees that his extradition will not face the death penalty and that he will have the same freedom of speech as American citizens.
The court said that if Assange could not rely on the First Amendment, his extradition could be inconsistent with the European Convention on Human Rights, which also protects free speech and the media.
These reassurances from the United States are not enough, Mr. Assange’s lawyers and supporters say, to send him to federal court because his First Amendment promises have not been fulfilled. are doing.
The United States said Mr. Assange could try to rely on the amendments, but that it would be up to judges to decide whether he could do so.
James Lewis, a lawyer representing the United States, said Assange’s actions were “completely unprotected” by the First Amendment.
Lewis said that “both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals rely on the First Amendment to expose them to risk of serious and imminent harm for the release of illegally obtained national defense information that names innocent sources.” There is no right.”
The WikiLeaks founder, who has spent the past five years in a British prison, did not appear in court to hear his fate discussed. Fitzgerald said he was absent for health reasons.
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.” So are war 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 pointing at President Biden and urging him to “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 physical and mental health deteriorated during this period. More than 10 years of legal battles, That includes seven years spent inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London from 2012 to 2019, and the past five years in a maximum security prison in the UK.
biden said last month He said he was considering asking Australia to withdraw the case and have Mr Assange return 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.
