Julian Assange’s extradition to the United States remains uncertain as judges at the High Court in London have deferred the decision, allowing for a further wait in the legal process. Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, faces charges related to the publication of sensitive intelligence dating back to 2010 and 2011.
During the court proceedings, two judges granted the US government a three-week window to provide assurances regarding Assange’s rights under the US Constitution’s First Amendment, safeguarding free speech. Additionally, assurances were sought concerning Assange’s Australian nationality, ensuring he would not face prejudice during trial or sentencing nor be subjected to the death penalty if convicted.
The court’s summary of the judgment outlined that if these assurances were not provided, leave to appeal would be granted, leading to an appeal hearing. However, the judges dismissed some grounds for appeal raised by Assange, including claims of political persecution.
A further hearing scheduled for May 20 will determine whether the United States has satisfied the conditions set by the court. This adjournment prolongs Assange’s legal battle, which has already seen significant twists and turns.
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Assange has been detained in a UK prison since 2019 and is awaiting a resolution to his extradition case. In 2021, the UK High Court ruled in favor of extradition, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in 2022. Despite concerns over his mental health and the potential risk of suicide in a US jail, then-Home Secretary Priti Patel confirmed the extradition order.