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Julian Assange will not be extradited to the US immediately

2024-03-26 15:20:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Julian Assange will not be extradited to the US immediately

London's High Court ruled on Tuesday that Julian Assange cannot be immediately extradited to the United States on espionage charges. The decision represents a partial victory for the Wikileaks founder. The two judges of that court said he would be allowed another extradition appeal unless assurances were given by the United States that he would not face the death penalty.

The decision means that his almost 10-year legal battle will continue and that Mr. Assange will continue to remain in London's high security prison, Belmarsh, where he has been held for 5 years.

US prosecutors intend to have 52-year-old Assange tried on 18 charges under the Espionage Act related to the publication of secret US military and diplomatic documents on his website, Wikileaks.

In February, Mr Assange's lawyers secured the right to appeal the extradition order passed by the British government, arguing that the charges against him were politically motivated.

The court has asked the US authorities to provide "acceptable guarantees" that Mr. Assange will be able to defend himself based on the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and the press, and that the death penalty will not be sought against him .

If these guarantees are not given, then Mr Assange would be given the right of appeal. Another hearing is scheduled for May 20.

The United States has said Mr. Assange will not face capital punishment, but British judges said in Tuesday's ruling that "current guarantees do not clearly exclude the death penalty."

The United States argues that the release of data by Wikiliekas put the lives of American agents at risk and that there is no justification for this criminal act.

Mr Assange's supporters see him as a hero, who is being investigated despite being a journalist after exposing abuses by the US government.

The US government says his actions go beyond his duty as a journalist and he is accused of "knowingly publishing" the names of agents rather than his political views.

US prosecutors say Mr Assange helped US military intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal diplomatic cables and military files related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

His lawyers say he could face up to 175 years in prison if convicted, although US authorities have said the sentence is likely to be much shorter./ VOA





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