It is a stage victory for WikiLeaks founder Assange. He is allowed to appeal his extradition to the USA in Great Britain. The High Court in London considers assurances from the US side to be insufficient.
The legal tug-of-war over the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who was imprisoned in Great Britain, to the USA is entering a new round: Assange can appeal against his threatened extradition on espionage charges. This was decided by the London High Court.
An immediate transfer of the 52-year-old to the USA has now been averted – at least until the appeal process in Great Britain has been completed. A date for this has not yet been set. Assange’s wife Stella spoke of a turning point and called on the USA to immediately stop the proceedings.
Journalist or not?
Assange is charged in the US with 17 counts of espionage and computer misuse because he published a series of secret US documents on his disclosure platform WikiLeaks almost 15 years ago. They are about the actions of the US military in Iraq and Afghanistan. The USA accuses the Australian, among other things, of betraying secrets that endangered human lives.
Supporters, on the other hand, see Assange as a journalist who uncovered alleged war crimes. This is in the public interest and the process is politically motivated, they allege. The US government, however, is of the opinion that Assange’s actions went beyond those of a journalist.
After the High Court’s decision was announced, Assange supporters erupted in cheers outside the courthouse.
Cheers before that Courthouse
The focus at the High Court was on the question of whether Assange, who was born in Australia, can rely on the right to freedom of expression in the USA as a foreign citizen. The judges initially postponed the decision at the end of March and demanded assurances from the USA. However, these initially did not convince the court.
According to his lawyer, Assange was not present in court for health reasons. The US Department of Justice declined to comment on the pending litigation.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in front of the courthouse in London. They greeted the High Court’s decision with cheers.
Lawyer: “Glaringly inadequate” assurances
In March, the High Court initially blocked Assange’s extradition to the USA. Two High Court judges demanded that the US guarantee that Assange would not face the death penalty if convicted. There was now another hearing on this.
Assange’s lawyers told the court that the US had given the WikiLeaks founder “blatantly inadequate” assurances that he would enjoy the protection of press freedom guaranteed by the US Constitution if he were extradited to America.
Litigation for more than ten years
The legal dispute has dragged on for more than ten years. Assange has been in the high-security Belmarsh prison in London for five years.
A British district court had rejected a US extradition request in 2021 on the grounds that Assange would likely take his own life if held under strict conditions in the US. Higher authorities overturned the verdict after the US gave assurances. The British government signed an extradition order in June 2022.
Christoph Prössl, ARD London, tagesschau, May 20, 2024 4:57 p.m