WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange leaves Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London, UK.
Henry Nichols | Reuters
The UK has approved the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US, where he is wanted over the publication of hundreds of thousands of classified military documents and diplomatic cables.
Britain’s Home Secretary Priti Patel on Friday approved the deportation after several unsuccessful legal battles in British courts. However, several appeals avenues are open for Assange, who has 14 days to appeal the decision.
Assange is wanted by US officials on 18 counts, including espionage charges, including confidential US military records relating to the 2010 and 2011 release of WikiLeaks and a vast trove of diplomatic cables that he claimed put life in danger .
A UK Home Office spokesman said: “On 17 June, following consideration by both the Magistrates Court and the High Court, the extradition of Mr. Julian Assange to the US was ordered. Mr. Assange was given the normal 14-day right to appeal. retain.”
“In this case, the UK courts have not found that it would be oppressive, unjust or an abuse of process to extradite Mr. Assange. Nor have they found that the extradition would be inconsistent with his human rights, including his right to a fair trial. and freedom of expression, and that they will be treated fairly in the United States, including with respect to their health.”
Friday’s extradition clearance is the latest development in a year-long saga for Australian-born Assange. He has spent much of the past decade either in prison or at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. He is currently lodged in the high-security Belmarsh Prison in London.
WikiLeaks said on Twitter that it would appeal the decision, saying it was a “dark day for press freedom and British democracy.”
Assange’s supporters have long claimed he is an anti-establishment hero whose prosecution was politically motivated because he exposed American wrongdoing in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
‘More interesting phases ahead’
The 50-year-old can appeal the decision to the High Court of London, which must give his approval for the challenge to proceed.
His case could eventually reach the UK Supreme Court. However, if this is denied, he must be extradited within 28 days.
Assange’s lawyers had previously claimed he could face possible fines up to 175 years In prison if convicted in the US, however, the US government said the sentence was likely to be four to six years.
Nick Vamos, head of business at London-based crime and commercial litigation law firm Peters & Peters, said Friday’s extradition clearance was not over, adding that “the more interesting phase of Mr. Assange’s extradition battle is still to come.”
“The decision was inevitable, as the Home Secretary may refuse extradition on very narrow grounds, but is unlikely to be the end of the road,” Vamos said on Friday.
Vamos said Assange could appeal on all of the grounds on which he originally lost in the UK Supreme Court. Those grounds include political motivation, freedom of speech and will they get a fair trial in America?
“He may try to present new evidence about the CIA assassination plots and also the fact that a key witness against him has publicly withdrew his evidence,” Vamos said.