Judges in the UK will hear the WikiLeaks founder’s argument against his extradition to stand trial in a US court.
Founder of WikiLeaks Julien Assange was allowed to appeal his extradition to the United States after arguing at the High Court in London that he may not be able to invoke his right to freedom of expression at a trial in the United States. United.
Two judges The High Court said it had given him permission to appeal to hear his argument that he may be discriminated against on the basis that Australian-born Assange is a foreign national.
Hundreds of protesters had gathered outside the court on Monday ahead of what was a key ruling after 13 years of legal battles, with two judges asked to rule on whether they were satisfied with US assurances that Assange, 52, could stand. support the American First Amendment right. to freedom of expression if he is tried for espionage in the United States.
Assange’s wife, Stella, told the court that the ruling “marks a turning point” and that “we are relieved as a family that the court made the right decision.”
“Everyone can see what needs to be done here. Julian must be released,” she said.
The decision was greeted outside the court with an eruption of cheers and chants. Assange’s legal team has said that if he loses, he could be on a plane across the Atlantic within 24 hours.
His lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald, had told the justices that they should not accept assurances from US prosecutors that Assange could seek to avail himself of rights and protections afforded under the First Amendment because a US court would not would not be bound by this.
“We say this is grossly insufficient assurance,” he told the court.
Fitzgerald had accepted a separate assurance that Assange would not face the death penalty, saying the United States had provided an “unambiguous promise not to charge any capital offense.”
Human rights watchdog Amnesty International called the decision “rare positive news for Julian Assange and all press freedom defenders.”
“The United States’ continued attempt to prosecute Assange endangers media freedom around the world. This makes a mockery of the United States’ obligations under international law and its stated commitment to freedom of expression,” said Simon Crowther, legal adviser at Amnesty. “It is essential that journalists and whistleblowers can participate in critical reporting in the public interest without fear of persecution. »
The United States said its assurance of the First Amendment was sufficient. James Lewis, representing US authorities, said he had made it clear that Assange would not be discriminated against on the basis of his nationality during a trial or hearing in the United States.
US President Joe Biden has faced domestic and international pressure to drop the case, which was filed under his predecessor Donald Trump.
Biden indicated recently that the United States was considering an Australian request to drop the charges.
