The UK government has agreed to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States, where he will face espionage charges.
British Home Secretary Priti Patel signed the extradition order on Friday, after a British judge approved the extradition in April, leaving the final decision to the UK government.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Under the Extradition Act 2003, the Foreign Secretary must sign an extradition order if there are no reasons why the order could not be issued. Extradition requests are only sent to the Home Secretary after a judge has decided that it can proceed after Considering various aspects of the case. On June 17, after consideration by both the Magistrates’ Court and the Supreme Court, an extradition order was issued for Mr. Julian Assange to the United States. Mr. Assange reserves the right of ordinary appeal for a period of 14 days.”
“In this case, the British courts have not found that Mr Assange’s extradition would be oppressive, unfair or an abuse of process,” the spokesperson added. “They also did not find that the extradition did not conflict with his human rights, including his right to a fair trial and freedom of expression, and that while in the United States he would be treated appropriately, including with regard to his health.”
US prosecutors have indicted Assange on 17 counts of espionage and one count of computer misuse over WikiLeaks’ publication of leaked military and diplomatic documents detailing alleged US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011. The charges could result in a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison.
Assange is entitled to apply to the UK High Court for leave to appeal against the district judge’s decisions and Patel’s extradition order. The application must be submitted within 14 days of being notified of the decision of the Minister of Interior. Assange will not be extradited to the United States until all legal remedies have been exhausted.
Assange is being held at Belmarsh Prison in London as of April 2019.
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