WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange Returned to the United States

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been fighting his extradition threat to the US for years, but he has now lost that battle. British Home Secretary Priti Patel has given the green light to the trial. But that’s not the end of the matter. Julian Assange faces up to 175 years in prison in the United States, and the Indigenous Australian is accused of violating the Espionage Act.

The law dates back to the First World War and is, simply put, intended to prevent or punish interference in military operations and espionage. With regard to extradition, the British Supreme Court recently ruled that it had no objection or concern to Assange’s treatment by the United States. With that, the Supreme Court passed the ball to Interior Minister Priti Patel, who had to approve the extradition. And she too.

British Home Secretary Cooperates

Her ministry said in a statement: “Under the 2003 Extradition Act, the Minister of the Interior must sign an extradition order if there are no grounds to prevent extradition.” That’s what happened: “In this case, the UK courts have not determined that extradition of Mr. Assange would be repressive, unfair or an abuse of process.” However, the last word has not yet been spoken in this case. Assange’s lawyers now have 14 days to appeal, which is more than likely.

Again The Guardian writes, they are likely to focus on the right to freedom of expression and whether the extradition request was politically motivated. However, the UK Home Office and Patel disagree that his extradition would be “incompatible with his human rights, including his right to a fair trial and freedom of expression, and that he will be treated fairly in the US, including with regard to his health.”