Julian Assange begins final legal challenge against US extradition in UK
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange launched his final legal challenge in the UK against his extradition to the US on espionage charges. The UK had previously approved his extradition in 2022, and now, his final appeal is being heard at the UK High Court.
Assange, 52, is wanted in the US for releasing classified military information through WikiLeaks, including a video showing the US military shooting Reuters journalists and children in Baghdad. He has been held at southeast London’s high-security Belmarsh Prison since 2019.
The two-day hearing at the UK High Court will determine whether Assange will be extradited to the US. If the judges rule in his favor, a full appeal hearing will be scheduled. However, if he loses the case, his legal team has promised to apply for an emergency injunction at the European Court of Human Rights.
Assange’s supporters believe his extradition is politically motivated and that he should be set free. With hundreds of protesters outside the High Court, many expressed their concern that imprisoning Assange for revealing war crimes could set a dangerous precedent.
According to his legal team, Assange is too unwell to attend the hearing. His wife, Stella Assange, expressed that his health is “in decline, physically and mentally.” The final decision on his extradition will have significant implications for press freedom and government transparency.
