British Home Secretary Priti Patel on Friday approved the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States to face criminal charges, bringing the long legal saga closer to a conclusion.
Assange is subpoenaed by US authorities on 18 counts, including espionage, related to WikiLeaks’ disclosure of a vast collection of confidential US military records and diplomatic cables that they say put lives in danger.
His supporters say he is an anti-establishment hero who was persecuted because he exposed US wrongdoing in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and that his accusation is a politically motivated attack on journalism and free speech.
“On June 17, after consideration by the Magistrates Court and the Superior Court, the extradition of Julian Assange to the US was ordered. Assange retains the normal right to appeal the decision within 14 days,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
Patel’s decision does not mean the end of the Australian-born Assange’s legal battle that has lasted more than a decade.
The WikiLeaks founder can appeal to the High Court in London, which must give its approval for a challenge to continue. Ultimately, he may try to take his case to the UK Supreme Court. But if the appeal is denied, Assange must be extradited within 28 days.
Source: CNN Brasil
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