The High Court in London is set to begin hearing the last UK appeal against the extradition of Julian Assange to the United States for trial over publishing classified military and diplomatic documents.
The United States seeks to extradite the 52-year-old Australian citizen and founder of WikiLeaks on multiple charges related to WikiLeaks’ 2010 release of files concerning the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
After losing successive rulings in recent years, Assange’s lengthy legal battle in Britain is nearing its end.
If successful, this week’s two-day appeal, commencing at 10:30 am (1030 GMT) on Tuesday, will grant Julian Assange another opportunity to present his case in a full hearing in a London court.
Should the appeal fail, Assange will exhaust all UK legal avenues, potentially leading to extradition proceedings. However, his legal team has indicated plans to appeal to European courts.
Stella Assange, his wife, has expressed concerns over his well-being, stating that he would face dire consequences if extradited to the United States.
The extradition request has faced widespread criticism, with calls for US President Joe Biden to drop the charges, citing concerns over press freedom and the Espionage Act charges.
Despite these pleas, the United States has pressed forward with the indictment, alleging Assange’s involvement in one of the largest disclosures of classified information in US history.
Assange, detained in Belmarsh Prison since 2019, previously sought asylum in Ecuador’s London embassy to evade extradition to Sweden on sexual assault allegations, which were later dropped.
While the High Court initially blocked his extradition, the decision was reversed on appeal in 2021, following assurances from the United States regarding his treatment in custody. Despite these assurances, Assange’s legal team continues to challenge the extradition, questioning the validity of the previous rulings.
Facing a potential 175-year jail sentence if convicted in the United States, Assange’s case has drawn international attention, with advocates and politicians urging an end to his prosecution. As the legal battle unfolds, Assange’s family and supporters remain hopeful for a favourable outcome, emphasising the broader implications for press freedom and human rights.