Assange's appeal against extradition to the US is a matter of life and death, says wife

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's latest legal challenge to prevent his extradition from the United Kingdom to the United States is a matter of life and death, his wife Stella said on Thursday.

Assange, 52, is wanted by US authorities on 18 charges related to WikiLeaks' release of large quantities of confidential US military records and diplomatic communications.

The United Kingdom approved his extradition in 2022, a decision that Assange's lawyers will fight to try to overturn next week in London's High Court.

At a press conference this Thursday, Stella Assange said her husband would not survive if he went to the US.

“His health is declining, physically and mentally,” she said. “His life is at risk every day he remains in prison – and if he is extradited, he will die.”

In January 2021, a judge ruled that Assange should not be extradited as his mental health meant he would be at risk of suicide if held in a maximum security prison.

The High Court reversed that decision following an appeal by US authorities, who gave a series of assurances about Assange's treatment.

Stella Assange said she would apply to the European Court of Human Rights for an injunction if her attempt to challenge her extradition at next week's hearing in London fails.

WikiLeaks first came to prominence in 2010 when it released hundreds of thousands of confidential files and diplomatic communications.

US prosecutors say the leaks put the lives of their agents at risk, but Assange's supporters argue he was victimized for exposing US wrongdoing.

Assange spent seven years hiding in the Ecuadorian embassy in London before being dragged out and arrested in 2019 for violating bail conditions.

He has since been held in a maximum security prison in London while his extradition case is decided.

Asked about the couple's two children, Stella Assange said they did not know about the fight against extradition: “Julian and I protect the children.”