Judicial crime surrounding the extradition of Julian Assange: Groundbreaking decision today

Created: 01/24/2022, 10:14 am

By: Markus Hofstetter

Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange expect a decision soon on his appeal against the lifting of the extradition ban.

© Victoria Jones/PA Wire/dpa

The United States has been fighting the extradition of Julian Assange in British courts for months.

Now a groundbreaking decision is imminent.

London – The legal dispute over the extradition of Julian Assange in the USA* is entering the next round.

Today at 10.45 a.m. (local time), the High Court in London wants to announce whether the Wikileaks founder can appeal against the lifting of the extradition ban in December 2021.

If the High Court decides that Assange can appeal, the case will go to the UK Supreme Court. Otherwise, the decision on extradition to the US would be referred to the UK Home Office.

Assange's fiancee Stella Moris* wanted to be there and make a statement.

Judicial crime about the extradition of Julian Assange: In the USA he faces up to 175 years in prison

The US judiciary wants to try Assange, who has been in London's high-security prison Belmarsh for more than two years, on allegations of espionage.

He is accused of having stolen and published classified material from US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan together with whistleblower Chelsea Manning.

For example, a video showed the killing of civilians by the crew of a US helicopter in Iraq. 

According to the plaintiffs, the lives of US informants are said to have been endangered by Assange's publications.

If convicted, the 50-year-old faces up to 175 years in prison.

His supporters, on the other hand, argue that it exposed war crimes.

Extradition of Julian Assange?

Last chance for Wikileaks founders

If the appeal is rejected on Monday, that does not mean the end of the legal dispute, said WikiLeaks boss Kristinn Hrafnsson of the

.

The decision would then rest with British Home Secretary Priti Patel.

If she agrees to the US extradition request, an appeal can again be lodged in court.

"This could be the last chance to stop Julian Assange's extradition to the US," Rebecca Vincent, Reporters Without Borders' London representative, wrote on Twitter.

"Whatever happens next, Britain also has a legal and moral responsibility."

Julian Assange: The situation is affecting him mentally and physically

Assange's relatives, especially his fiancée, are worried about his health.

So far, his psychological well-being has been the priority, but the situation seems to be affecting him more and more physically.

Shortly after the most recent verdict in December, Moris announced that Assange had suffered a small stroke.