Two magistrates will decide, over two days of public hearing, whether the co-founder of Wikileaks is placed in the hands of Washington. The judges' decision could be announced at the end of Wednesday's session.

If judges Jeremy Johnson and Victoria Sharp decide to give the green light to extradition, judicial avenues in the United Kingdom would be exhausted for Assange. “The ruling may set a precedent with serious and dark implications for press freedom around the world,” said Kristinn Hrafnsson, current director of Wikileaks.