By Tony O’Reilly-
The High Court in London has granted Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, permission to take his challenge against extradition to the United States on espionage charges to a new hearing.
This decision marks a significant development in Assange’s decade-long legal battle, offering a glimmer of hope for the controversial figure.
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The ruling, issued on Tuesday, permits Assange to pursue his appeal at a full hearing, contingent upon the United States providing “satisfactory assurances” regarding key concerns.
These include assurances regarding Assange’s ability to rely on the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and safeguards against the imposition of the death penalty.
Additionally, the court emphasized that Assange should not face prejudice based on his nationality during trial or sentencing.
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Assange, who has spent over a decade fighting extradition, including seven years in self-exile at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and the subsequent five years in Belmarsh Prison, welcomed the decision.
American prosecutors accuse Assange of endangering lives by publishing classified documents leaked by former U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning.
The documents, including diplomatic cables and military files, were disseminated by WikiLeaks approximately 15 years ago.
James Lewis, representing the U.S., argued that Assange’s actions posed a threat to national security and put individuals named in the documents at risk of harm.
However, Assange’s defense contends that he was engaged in journalistic practices of obtaining and publishing information in the public interest. They argue that the prosecution is politically motivated retaliation for WikiLeaks’ exposure of U.S. government wrongdoing.
The significance of WikiLeaks’ impact on global politics cannot be overstated. The organization rose to prominence in 2010 with the release of a classified video showing a U.S. military helicopter killing civilians, including journalists, in Baghdad.
Manning, who leaked the video and other documents to WikiLeaks, faced espionage charges and served time in prison before her sentence was commuted by President Barack Obama.
Assange’s legal team has raised concerns about his health, citing the deterioration during years of confinement. His wife, Stella Assange, has warned that extradition could lead to his death. Assange’s legal saga began in 2010 with his arrest in London over allegations of rape and sexual assault in Sweden.
After seeking refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy, he was arrested for breaching bail in 2019 when his asylum was revoked.
While a British court initially ruled against extradition in 2021, citing suicide risks, U.S. authorities won an appeal the following year, providing assurances about Assange’s treatment if extradited.
Despite calls from Australian officials for a diplomatic resolution and efforts to lobby the U.S., Assange remains in British custody awaiting further legal proceedings.
The decision by the High Court to grant Assange an appeal offers a renewed opportunity for him to contest extradition. As the case unfolds, the implications for press freedom, government transparency, and the protection of whistleblowers will continue to be closely watched on the global stage.
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