Friday 10th December 2021
Update
Wikileaks founder faces trial
Extradition ban for Assange to USA lifted
A court in London overturns the rejection of the US extradition request for Julian Assange. The Wikileaks founder must expect to be extradited to the United States. It is unclear whether the tug of war for the 50-year-old will end with it – Assange’s fiancée has already announced her appointment.
It is a serious setback for Julian Assange: an appeals court in London has overturned the rejection of the US extradition request for the Wikileaks founder. This was announced by a judge at the London High Court. Assange must now expect to be extradited to the United States after all.
According to an earlier ruling, the extradition of the 50-year-old had been prohibited, taking into account his mental and health condition and the expected prison conditions in the USA. Washington had challenged this decision – and was right. The assurances given by the US in the meantime are sufficient to allay concerns about his health, the judge said.
The US judiciary wants to bring Assange to trial on allegations of espionage. The native Australian faces up to 175 years imprisonment if convicted. He is accused of stealing and publishing secret material from US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan together with whistleblower Chelsea Manning. He put the lives of US informants in danger. His supporters, however, see him as an investigative journalist who brought war crimes to light.
The case will now be returned to the court of first instance, with instructions to leave the decision on extradition to the interior minister, the judge continued. It was not immediately clear whether the tug-of-war over Assange is over. Assange’s fiancée announced immediately after the extradition ban was lifted that she would appeal again. “We will contest this decision at the earliest possible point,” said Stella Moris, according to a statement. She described the High Court’s decision as “dangerous and misguided”. It is a “serious perversion of the law”, so Moris further.
Dozens of supporters of the Wikileaks founder who had gathered in front of the courthouse in London were disappointed and indignant. Many chanted “Shame, Shame” and announced that they would continue fighting for Assange’s release. Assange’s family members have described his health as poor and worrying for months. The 50-year-old has been in London’s maximum security prison, Belmarsh, for more than two years.