The UK’s High Court of Justice in London has granted WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange the right to challenge his extradition to the United States, as reported by Sky News. The ruling marks a significant development in Assange’s legal battle.
In March, the high court requested assurances from the US government to safeguard Assange’s rights under the First Amendment of the US Constitution, freedom from prejudice based on nationality, and protection against the death penalty during his trial. The US recently provided minimal assurances to proceed with the case.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed skepticism about the court’s decision, suggesting it may not fully support Assange. The WikiLeaks founder, facing prosecution under the Espionage Act in the US, could potentially face a 175-year prison sentence if convicted.
This development follows Assange’s transfer to London’s Belmarsh prison in 2019 and subsequent legal appeals. An appeal to the European Court of Human Rights might be one of the last avenues to prevent his extradition.