According to the BBC, on Monday the British High Court ruled that Julian Assange “had an arguable point of law” and “can petition the UK’s highest court for a hearing.” The ruling blocks America’s quest to extradite Assange and prosecute him in the United States.
Assange has open warrants in America. He is charged with disclosing thousands of classified documents in 2010 and 2011 — many are especially unflattering to Hillary Clinton and leaders in the Democratic party.
Lord Burnett, the Chief Justice of the British Court, announced that the WikiLeaks founder could appeal the extradition demand.
Stella Moris, Assange’s fiancée, spoke to a small assembly of supporters outside the courthouse, saying:
“Let’s not forget that every time we win, as long as this case isn’t dropped, as long as Julian isn’t freed, Julian continues to suffer!”
Moris continued: “For almost three years he has been in Belmarsh prison and he is suffering profoundly. Our fight goes on and we will fight this until Julian is free.”
Moris later tweeted:
“Today we won — but Julian continues to suffer — Julian must be freed.”
Assange’s journey has been difficult. He disclosed classified information in 2010-2011, was investigated in 2012, granted political asylum in Ecuador in 2012, was indicted by the U.S. in 2018, and arrested in London in 2019.
In January 2021, the British Court rejected America’s demand for extradition — that decision was reversed in December 2021.
According to Washington Examiner, Assange argues that “WikiLeaks is a publisher and therefore protected by the First Amendment.”
His latest reprieve is temporary — his attorneys must respond to the British Court within 14 days.
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