Julian Assange of WikiLeaks wins bid to appeal extradition to U.S.

By ethanh // 2024-05-22

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WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is free to appeal his extradition ruling, meaning he can still beg the courts to allow him freedom instead of judgment day in the United States. Assange's wife Stella had previously said that she thought things could go either way. Either her husband would be extradited "or he could be freed," she revealed. Looks like the latter could be in the cards for Assange. (Related: Check out our earlier report about Assange's extradition to the U.S., which is 10 years in the making.) According to reports, Assange successfully argued to London's High Court that if extradited, he might not be able to rely on his right to free speech at a U.S. trial. Two separate judges at the High Court agreed with Assange and offered him the right to a full appeal so he can present his discrimination argument. In short, Assange, an Australian-born foreign national, feels as though the U.S. court system will be biased against him to such a degree that he would not stand a chance at fair trial.

Injustice system

Outside the court this week at Assange's hearing were hundreds of protesters, many of whom have been walking alongside him for the better part of 13 years. Stella said the recent ruling "marks a turning point" in her husband's case. "We are relieved as a family that the court took the right decision," she explained. "Everyone can see what should be done here. Julian must be freed." Following the ruling, the crowd of Assange supporters cheered as their hero was almost thrown on an airplane to traverse the Atlantic Ocean towards America to be tried for crimes he and his fans say did not happen. Lawyer Edward Fitzgerald argued in his client's defense that U.S. prosecutors cannot be relied upon to afford Assange his First Amendment rights, even though they swore an oath to do this for defendants. "We say this is a blatantly inadequate assurance," Fitzgerald told the court about how his client simply could not take such a risk. Fitzgerald did accept an assurance that Assange would not face the death penalty, stating that U.S. authorities provided an "unambiguous promise not to charge any capital offense." This surprise turn of events represents "a rare piece of positive news for Julian Assange and all defenders of press freedom," commented human rights monitor Amnesty International. "The USA's ongoing attempt to prosecute Assange puts media freedom at risk worldwide. It ridicules the USA's obligations under international law, and their stated commitment to freedom of expression." "It is vital that journalists and whistleblowers are able to participate in critical reporting in the public interest without fear of persecution." James Lewis, a representative of the U.S. establishment, remarked that Assange need not worry about being discriminated against in any U.S. trial or hearing based on his nationality. President Donald Trump filed to have Assange's case dropped, which current President Joe Biden has not yet done. Biden did, however, indicate that the U.S. is considering an Australian case to drop all charges against Assange. In the comments, numerous people emphasized that Assange has a right to free speech even if he crosses certain powerful people who become upset by the things he has to say. "Meanwhile, the war criminals go completely unpunished," one added to the conversation. "It's shameful and it reveals certain doubt around the democracy and freedoms of our very culture. I get the alliance factor, but it's very questionable to incarcerate a person in the media for allowing the public to know the truth." Another wrote that she feels as though Assange is a hero, not a criminal. More related news can be found at Conspiracy.news. Sources for this article include: AlJazeera.com NaturalNews.com

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