A London court has granted Julian Assange the right to appeal his extradition to the United States, marking a significant victory for his supporters but also prolonging his ongoing legal battle in Britain. This decision follows a previous ruling where the U.S. government had to provide assurances about Assange’s rights during a potential trial, including First Amendment protections and a promise that he would not face the death penalty.
Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has been indicted on espionage charges in the U.S. related to the publication of classified documents leaked by Chelsea Manning. His time in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he sought asylum to avoid extradition to Sweden, ended in 2019 when he was arrested by British authorities.
Currently held in Belmarsh Prison, Assange’s health has been a concern for his family, leading to his absence in court due to health reasons. Supporters argue that his actions exposed U.S. military misconduct, while prosecutors claim lives were put in danger by his leaks.
With President Biden considering a request to drop the prosecution and Australian Prime Minister Albanese expressing optimism about the case, the outcome of Assange’s extradition battle remains uncertain.