20-5-2024 (LONDON) WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been granted permission for a full appeal against his extradition to the United States, following a pivotal ruling by London’s High Court on Monday. Assange’s legal team argued that his right to free speech might be compromised if he were to face trial in the US.
The decision by two High Court judges allows Assange to contest the potential for discrimination based on his status as a foreign national. This development marks a significant moment in Assange’s 13-year legal battle, as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the court, awaiting the outcome.
The judges were tasked with determining the adequacy of US assurances that Assange, 52, could invoke First Amendment rights if tried for espionage. The court’s decision was met with loud cheers and singing from supporters outside.
Edward Fitzgerald, representing Assange, contended that the US prosecutors’ assurance that Assange could rely on First Amendment protections was insufficient. He argued that a US court would not be bound by this promise.
“We say this is a blatantly inadequate assurance,” Fitzgerald told the court. He did, however, acknowledge the separate assurance from the US that Assange would not face the death penalty, calling it an “unambiguous promise not to charge any capital offence.”
James Lewis, representing US authorities, maintained that the First Amendment assurance was adequate, asserting that Assange would not be discriminated against due to his nationality in any US legal proceedings.
Assange’s legal team expressed optimism following the ruling. Fitzgerald noted that it could take months before the appeal is heard, but the decision marks a significant delay in Assange’s potential extradition, which his team argued could have happened within 24 hours had the ruling gone against him.
