Julian Assange, the person who started WikiLeaks, got permission to fully challenge being sent to the US. He said in a London court that he might not get to say what he wants in a trial there.
Two judges in the High Court agreed to listen to his full challenge. Assange says he’s worried because he’s from Australia, and he thinks he might not be treated fairly in the US.
Before the judges made this decision, lots of people gathered outside the court to show support. This is a big deal because it’s been a long legal fight, going on for 13 years. The main question is whether the US has promised Assange enough protection for his freedom of speech if he’s put on trial for spying.Julian Assange allowed to appeal against US extradition
Julian Assange Allowed to Appeal Against US Extradition
In a recent ruling, a court in London said that Julian Assange, who started WikiLeaks, can challenge a decision to send him to the United States. This decision is important because Assange has been in a London prison called Belmarsh since April 2019. Before that, he stayed in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for almost seven years, where he was seeking protection from extradition.
The United States government has accused him of committing 18 crimes, including espionage (spying) and hacking into government computers. These accusations are based on WikiLeaks releasing thousands of secret documents back in 2010.
Assange’s lawyers argue that the United States hasn’t promised to protect his rights to freedom of the press if he’s sent there to face trial. This means they’re worried that if he goes to the US, he won’t be able to speak freely about the things he knows without facing punishment. So, this latest ruling allows Assange to keep fighting against being sent to the US.
Also Read: Iran President Ebrahim Raisi Dies in Helicopter Crash
Julian Assange’s Legal Battle
Lawyer Edward Fitzgerald pointed out that prosecutors didn’t ensure Julian Assange, an Australian and a journalist by claim, would be protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as per Associated Press.
Fitzgerald emphasized the need for assurance to address the risks identified by the court. He argued that such assurance hadn’t been adequately provided.
Assange’s legal team contends he acted as a journalist by exposing U.S. military misconduct in Iraq and Afghanistan. They fear sending him to the U.S. could lead to politically motivated prosecution and a lack of fair trial.
Julian Assange established WikiLeaks in 2006, a platform for whistleblowers to disclose sensitive information anonymously. The site gained global attention in 2010 for releasing a large batch of classified U.S. military and diplomatic files, courtesy of former U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning.
The U.S. government alleges Assange’s actions went beyond standard journalism, causing direct harm to national security. They claim that publishing unedited documents, including names of informants and sensitive details, posed threats to lives and national interests.
Supporters of Assange contend that he functioned as a journalist, sharing important public information. They assert that charging Assange with the Espionage Act could establish a risky standard for press freedom, possibly making investigative journalism into government wrongdoing a punishable offense.
Also Read: 1st Black Astronaut Candidate Launches Into Space 60 Year Later on Bezos Rocket
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.1. Why is Julian Assange in legal trouble?
Ans. Assange faces extradition to the US on charges of espionage and hacking related to WikiLeaks’ release of classified documents.
Q.2. What is Assange’s argument against extradition?
Ans. Assange’s legal team argues that he acted as a journalist and fears persecution in the US, jeopardizing press freedom.
Q.3. Why is Assange’s case significant?
Ans. His case raises questions about press freedom, government transparency, and the role of whistleblowers in society.
Q.4. What is the status of Assange’s appeal?
Ans. The High Court in London granted Assange permission to fully challenge his extradition to the US.
Q.5. What are the concerns surrounding Assange’s extradition?
Ans. Supporters worry that extraditing Assange could set a precedent for punishing investigative journalism and undermine freedom of the press.
