The long-running legal battle of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange took a new turn on Monday as a London court ruled that he could appeal his extradition to the United States. This decision comes after years of legal proceedings and debates surrounding his case.
Assange has been held in a London prison since 2019, facing charges under the Espionage Act in the United States for his role in obtaining and publishing classified government documents on WikiLeaks in 2010. The extradition order was initially approved by Britain’s home secretary in 2022, leading to a series of appeals and hearings in the High Court.
During a Monday hearing, the court considered specific assurances from the U.S. authorities regarding Assange’s treatment if extradited, including guarantees that he would not face the death penalty or be persecuted for his nationality. The court will now decide whether these assurances are satisfactory and whether Assange can appeal his extradition.
Possible outcomes include the denial of Assange’s appeal request, which could result in his prompt extradition to the United States to face charges that could lead to a lengthy prison sentence. However, his legal team has vowed to challenge this decision by appealing to the European Court of Human Rights, potentially delaying the extradition process.
Alternatively, if Assange is allowed to appeal, the legal battle will continue, giving hope to supporters of press freedom and delaying his removal to the United States. There is also the possibility of a political agreement that could lead to a resolution outside of the courtroom, with Assange’s team pushing for his return to Australia.
As the world awaits the court’s final decision, the fate of Julian Assange remains uncertain, with his supporters and legal team continuing to fight for a just outcome in this high-profile case.
