Extradition of WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange to United States Approved by UK Home Secretary Priti PatelKurt Zindulka 17 Jun 2022
British Home Secretary Priti Patel has approved the extradition of WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange to the United States, where he faces up to 175 years in prison on charges of espionage and computer misuse.
The years-long battle over the fate of Julian Assange was passed to Home Secretary Priti Patel after a Supreme Court judge in Britain ruled that the Wikileaks co-founder could be extradited to the U.S., despite a previous court ruling that blocked the move over concerns of the heightened risk of Assange committing suicide in an American prison.
According to a report from The Guardian, Patel had determined that the extradition request from American authorities passed all legal thresholds, including promises to not seek the death penalty against Assange.
Though Patel ruled on Friday that the extradition can go ahead, it is expected that Assange’s legal team will launch another appeal, which will likely rely heavily on arguments that the extradition has been politically motivated and over the freedom of expression rights of journalists.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “On 17 June, following consideration by both the magistrates’ court and high court, the extradition of Mr Julian Assange to the US was ordered. Mr Assange retains the normal 14-day right to appeal.
“In this case, the UK courts have not found that it would be oppressive, unjust or an abuse of process to extradite Mr Assange.
“Nor have they found 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 US he will be treated appropriately, including in relation to his health.”
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https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2022/06/17/extradition-of-wikileaks-julian-assange-to-united-states-approved-by-uk-home-secretary-patel/
