Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has been in prison in London for the past five years awaiting a court decision on his potential extradition to the United States. A recent hearing was held to assess the likelihood of his extradition for sentencing, with the final court decision still pending.
Since 2019, the 51-year-old Assange has been fighting against extradition to the United States, where he faces charges that could result in up to 175 years in prison for espionage. These charges stem from WikiLeaks’ publication of classified documents exposing details of US military operations and diplomatic endeavors, including civilian casualties in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The situation became more complex after Assange lost his refuge at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he had sought asylum for seven years to avoid extradition to Sweden for sexual crime allegations that were later dropped.
At the latest UK court hearing, the potential for an appeal in Assange’s case was discussed. Assange was not present in person due to health reasons, but he received support from numerous protesters outside the court.
Assange’s defense team argues that his actions were in the interest of truth and public good. They also bring attention to discussions within US authorities about the possibility of extreme measures, such as assassination or abduction, while he was at the Ecuadorian Embassy, highlighting the political nature of the case.
The British court considered the extradition request after receiving assurances from the US that Assange would not face torture or inhumane treatment. However, this decision could still be contested in the European Court of Human Rights.
Assange’s wife and human rights organizations are deeply concerned about his health and the potential repercussions of extradition. They advocate for his release and an end to the persecution, emphasizing the potential threats to his life and freedom.