By NewsBlogger The London High Court is set to rule on Julian Assange’s appeal against extradition to the US, with concerns raised about his mental health and potential consequences if convicted for publishing leaked documents on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
At a glance
- London’s High Court to rule on Assange’s appeal against US extradition on March 26.
- Assange facing extradition over alleged conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information.
- US authorities successfully appealed against district judge’s ruling against extradition in January 2021.
- Assange’s legal team seeks to challenge original judge’s dismissal of aspects of his case.
- Final decision on extradition appeal expected in late May pending assurances from US authorities.
The details
London’s High Court is set to deliver its ruling on whether Julian Assange can appeal against extradition to the US on March 26.
Assange is facing extradition over an alleged conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information, specifically related to the publication of leaked documents on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
In January 2021
district judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled against Assange’s extradition to the US citing a risk of suicide.
However, US authorities successfully appealed this decision in the High Court later in the year.
During a two-day hearing in February
Assange’s lawyers sought permission to challenge the original judge’s dismissal of other aspects of his case.
Despite the looming threat of extradition, Julian Assange will not be immediately sent to the US to face espionage charges as judges have delayed a final decision on whether he can appeal his case.
His legal team has warned that he could potentially face up to 175 years in prison if convicted for publishing leaked documents related to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
In a previous ruling from January 2021, a judge expressed concerns about Assange’s mental health and ruled against his extradition to the US. However, US authorities were successful in their bid to overturn this decision in the High Court.
Assange’s lawyers have requested permission to challenge the original judge’s dismissal of other elements of his case in order to prevent his extradition.
The judges have announced that Assange will not be immediately extradited and have given the US authorities three more weeks to provide satisfactory assurances to the court.
The final decision on his extradition appeal is expected to be made in late May, pending the assurances requested by the court.
These assurances include ensuring that Assange is not prejudiced at trial due to his nationality, that he is granted the same First Amendment protections as a US citizen, and that the death penalty will not be imposed.
Outside the Royal Courts of Justice, supporters of Assange rallied, chanting “free, free Julian Assange” and “no extradition”.
Although Assange was granted permission to leave prison for the two-day hearing, he was too unwell to attend.
Lawyers representing the US argued that Assange had put lives at risk by publishing unredacted classified documents.
Assange’s wife expressed concerns that the outcome of the appeal bid is a matter of life or death for her husband, who has reportedly deteriorated during his time in prison where he spends 22 hours a day in confinement.
Julian Assange has been in prison since his removal from the Ecuadorian embassy in 2019. The final decision on his extradition appeal is pending and is expected to be made in late May.
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| independent.co.uk |
|---|
| – London’s High Court is expected to hand down its ruling on whether Julian Assange can appeal against extradition to the US on March 26. – Assange faces extradition over an alleged conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information. – |
| The extradition is related to the publication of leaked documents on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. |
| – In January 2021, district judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled against Assange’s extradition to the US due to a risk of suicide. |
| – US authorities won a High Court bid to overturn this ruling later in the year. |
| – Assange’s lawyers asked for permission to challenge the original judge’s dismissal of other parts of his case during a two-day hearing in February. – Dame Victoria Sharp and Mr. Justice Johnson will give their decision in writing on Tuesday. |
| independent.co.uk |
|---|
| – Julian Assange will not be immediately extradited to the US to face espionage charges as judges delayed a final decision over whether he can appeal his case – His team suggested he could face up to 175 years in prison if convicted for publishing leaked documents relating to the Afghanistan and Iraq wars – |
| In a January 2021 ruling, a judge said Assange should not be sent to the US due to a risk of suicide, but US authorities won their High Court bid to overturn this block – Lawyers for Assange asked for the go-ahead to challenge the original judge’s dismissal of other parts of his case to prevent his extradition – Judges announced that Assange will not be immediately extradited and offered the US and the Secretary of State three more weeks to give the court satisfactory assurances – |
| The judges said the US authorities had three weeks to give assurances, with a final decision to be made in late May – The assurances requested include that he is not prejudiced at trial by reason of his nationality, that he is afforded the same First Amendment protections as a US citizen, and that the death penalty is not imposed – Assange supporters rallied outside the Royal Courts of Justice chanting “free, free Julian Assange” and “no extradition” – Assange was granted permission to leave prison for the two-day hearing but was too unwell to attend – Lawyers for the US said Assange put lives at risk by publishing unredacted classified documents – Assange’s wife warned that the outcome of the appeal bid is life or death for her husband, who has deteriorated in prison where he spends 22 hours a day in confinement – Assange has been in prison since he was removed from the Ecuadorian embassy in 2019 |
