Julian Assange has won his ongoing battle against extradition to the UK after a High Court judge in London allowed Assange’s appeal.
Two judges in March delayed a decision on whether Assange, who is trying to avoid prosecution in the United States on espionage charges related to the release of thousands of classified and diplomatic documents, can take the case to another appeal hearing.
Only if the Biden administration is unable to provide the court with adequate assurances “applicants [Assange] Reliance on the First Amendment is allowed and the applicant will not be prejudiced at trial, including by virtue of his nationality, and he receives the same First Amendment [free speech] He is protected as an American citizen and is not subject to the death penalty.”
Legal arguments Monday centered on the question of whether Assange would receive First Amendment protections. Assange’s team did not dispute the assurances about the death penalty, acknowledging that it was a “clear executive commitment”.
Assange was charged with 17 counts of espionage and one count of computer misuse for publishing a large number of classified U.S. documents on his website 15 years ago, which carries a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison.
U.S. prosecutors allege that Assange, 52, encouraged and helped U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning put her life at risk by stealing diplomatic cables and military documents released by WikiLeaks.
