WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s long legal battle to avoid extradition to the United States may finally be coming to a close.
On Tuesday, what could be Assange’s final court hearing to prevent his extradition begins in London. The High Court has scheduled two days of arguments over his request to an appeals court to block the extradition.
Assange’s long-standing legal saga has included seven years of self-imposed house arrest inside an embassy and five years of imprisonment in the UK. He and his lawyers are seeking to block extradition to the U.S., where Assange has been indicted on 18 charges related to publishing classified documents on WikiLeaks.
According to Assange’s wife, Stella Assange, this decision is life-threatening, given his worsening health condition throughout his time in custody. Being extradited to the United States, she warned, could potentially be fatal for him. Initially, a London judge blocked Assange’s transfer based on potential suicide risk due to harsh American prison conditions. However, subsequent courts overruled this decision following assurance from U.S. authorities regarding his treatment.
If the London court rejects Assange’s plea for a full appeal next week, the path could be cleared for his extradition to the U.S., upon approval from British officials. Assange’s legal team plans to appeal any adverse ruling at the European Court of Human Rights, but there are concerns that he may be transferred before the court in France can halt his removal. His lawyers are set to argue against fair trial conditions in the U.S., among other key points, asserting that Assange’s actions fall under press freedoms protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
