UK court delays Julian Assange’s extradition, demands ‘assurances’ from US

In a temporary respite for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, the UK High Court today ruled against his immediate extradition to the US on charges of espionage, The Hindu reported. The court granted the 52-year-old Australian journalist the chance to file a “new appeal” against the extradition, unless the US authorities furnish “assurances” within three weeks about its post-extradition actions.  

Assange, who was jailed in April 2019, is wanted in the US over alleged espionage and 18 other charges related to the publication of thousands of classified documents related to the US Army operations in the Afghanistan and Iraq military campaigns. The case will next be heard on May 20.

In February this year, Assange challenged the UK’s approval of his extradition, arguing that it was politically motivated. The court then said the journalist had strong grounds to appeal against the extradition.    

The court today gave the US authorities three weeks to provide “satisfactory assurances” on the questions of whether Assange could rely on the First Amendment of the US Constitution, and if he could be given the death penalty. If the assurances are not received, the journalist will be able to appeal against the extradition again.

The US, meanwhile, argued that WikiLeaks’ revelations had put the lives of its agents in danger. It also emphasised that Assange had been charged for "indiscriminately and knowingly" publishing names of sources, and not his political opinions.

In January 2021, a court said that Assange should not be sent to the US, citing a real and “oppressive” risk of suicide.

Ten years ago, Newslaundry had interviewed Siddharth Varadarajan, then editor of the Hindu, on what it was like to handle the WikiLeaks treasure trove. What yardsticks did the newspaper apply? Watch the full interview here.