WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will soon be extradited to the United States, the British government confirmed on Friday, where he is being prosecuted for a massive leak of confidential documents.
The British government confirmed on Friday that it had signed the decree for the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States, where he is being prosecuted for a massive leak of confidential documents. “Under the Extradition Act 2003, the Minister of State must sign an extradition order if there are no grounds for barring the order,” a department spokesman said. inside.
“A dark day for freedom of the press”
WikiLeaks denounced “a dark day for freedom of the press” in a press release. “In this case, the UK courts did not find that it would be oppressive, unjust or an abuse of process to extradite Mr. Assange. Nor did they find that extradition would be incompatible with his human rights. , including his right to a fair trial and freedom of expression, and that while in the United States he will be treated appropriately, including with respect to his health,” the spokesperson stressed. .
BREAKING: UK Home Secretary approves extradition of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange to the US where he would face a 175 year sentence – A dark day for Press freedom and for British democracy
The decision will be appealedhttps://t.co/m1bX8STSr8pic.twitter.com/5nWlxnWqO7— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) June 17, 2022
The 50-year-old Australian can appeal within 14 days.
Julian Assange faces 175 years in prison
He is claimed by the American justice system which wants to judge him for the dissemination, from 2010, of more than 700,000 classified documents on American military and diplomatic activities, in particular in Iraq and Afghanistan. He faces 175 years in prison.
He was arrested in 2019 after spending more than seven years as a refugee in the Ecuadorian embassy in London.