British Government Approves Extradition of Julian Assange
The WikiLeaks publisher is likely to appeal the decision again in a British court, and the government said he had 14 days to do so.
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The British government has approved an extradition order for Julian Assange, confirming a court decision that he can be sent to the United States to stand trial on espionage charges, reports the New York Times. The WikiLeaks editor is likely to appeal the decision again in a British court, and the government said he had 14 days to do so. The United Kingdom’s Home Office, in a statement, pointed to a British court ruling that did not find “that it would be oppressive, unjust or an abuse of process to extradite Mr. Assange.”
Additionally, the statement said, the courts did not find that extradition “would be incompatible with his human rights, including his right to a fair trial and to freedom of expression, and that whilst in the U.S. he will be treated appropriately, including in relation to his health.” Once he has exhausted his options in British courts, Assange could also try to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. His case is seen by advocacy groups as a potential challenge to press freedom.
