Westminster Magistrates' Court Issues Order to Extradite Assange to US
Lawyers for Julian Assange argued that the WikiLeaks founder had not yet exhausted his options to challenge the decision to extradite him, pointing out that "the troubling circumstances in which requesting states can provide caveated guarantees after the conclusion of a full evidential hearing" were not taken into consideration.
The London court made a formal decision to extradite Julian Assange to the United States on Wednesday. However, the final decision is to be made by the UK government. The order was issued at a brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, with Assange forced to watch via video link from Belmarsh prison. During the hearing, his supporters rallied outside the court building, demanding freedom for the WikiLeaks founder.
WikiLeaks tweeted that the defence team has until 18 May to challenge the decision and make representations to Home Secretary Priti Patel before makes her decision on the ruling. Should he be extradited to the United States, where he is accused of espionage, Assange faces up to 175 years behind bars. WikiLeaks' chief editor Kristinn Hrafnsson said that by issuing the extradition order, the Westminster Magistrate's Court had signed Assange's death sentence.
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London court issues order for WikiLeaks founder Assange’s extradition to US (TASS)
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An Open Letter to the Home Secretary (Consortium News)