Monday, May 20, 2024
Islamabad (Urdu Point. DW Urdu. May 20, 2024) WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange got a major victory in his legal battle to avoid his extradition to the United States on Monday, when the London High Court ruled that he should be extradited to the United States. allowed to file an appeal against the decision to extradite him to the United States.
High Court judges Victoria Sharp and Jeremy Johnson said Assange had grounds to challenge the British government's order.
Assange, a 52-year-old Australian citizen, has been indicted on 17 counts of espionage and one count of computer misuse for publishing US intelligence documents on his website about 15 years ago.
Earlier in March, the High Court granted Assange an interim appeal against the decision to deport him to the UK.
But at the same time, the court asked the US prosecutors to provide satisfactory assurances that the death penalty will not be sought in the case against Assange in the US and that he would be protected by the US Constitution on the right to freedom of expression. Reliance on the First Amendment will also be permitted.
However, in a short ruling on Monday, two senior judges of the London High Court ruled that the US had failed to provide sufficient assurances, allowing Assange to file a formal appeal against his extradition.
Assange's supporters cheered and applauded outside the court after the court granted relief.
Assange's wife, Stella, said outside court that American lawyers had tried to mislead the judges but had failed to do so. He said the US should "read the situation" and stop pursuing the case.
He added, “We are relieved as a family but how long can this last? This affair is embarrassing and it is taking a toll on Julian's health.
Assange has spent the past five years in a British high-security prison after being sheltered in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for seven years to avoid prosecution in the United States.
The WikiLeaks founder was not present in court during today's hearing. His lawyer said that he could not attend the court due to health related reasons.
