UK Supreme Court Upholds Julian Assange's Right to Appeal Extradition to the US

The UK Supreme Court accepted Julian Assange's argument that he may not be able to enjoy his right to free speech if tried in the US, allowing the WikiLeaks founder to reapply for an appeal regarding his extradition to the US. Two Supreme Court judges stated in their ruling announced on Monday, May 20, that Mr. Assange has the full right to appeal and present his arguments in a new hearing that he would face discrimination as an Australian citizen in the US. Hundreds of Assange supporters gathered outside the courthouse as the hearing could mark a significant turning point in a 13-year legal battle. The central issue of the hearing was whether the UK Supreme Court judges are fully satisfied with the US judicial guarantees regarding Mr. Assange's access to the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees the right to free speech. The extradition order for Julian Assange from the UK to the US has been temporarily suspended. Julian Assange, as the co-founder and former director of WikiLeaks, is facing prosecution in the US for espionage due to the disclosure of thousands of classified US government documents in 2010. The ruling by the UK Supreme Court was met with enthusiastic support from Assange's supporters. His lawyers had stated that if the Supreme Court did not rule in favor of the appeal, he could be extradited to the US within 24 hours. Assange's lawyers requested that the UK Supreme Court not accept the US prosecutors' assurances that their client could rely on rights provided under the First Amendment, as US courts are not obliged to uphold such rights for a non-American citizen. Edward Fitzgerald, Assange's lawyer, stated in court, 'We believe these assurances are clearly inadequate.' Assange's lawyer accepted another part of the US prosecutors' assurances that promised Assange would not face the death penalty, stating, 'The US has made a clear commitment not to sentence him to death.' In contrast, the US prosecutor argued that the assurances provided are clear and sufficient. James Lewis, representing US authorities, stated that the assurances explicitly declare that Julian Assange will not face discrimination in any proceedings or courts in the US due to his nationality. Assange's lawyers were very pleased with the UK Supreme Court's ruling and stated that until the appeal request is reviewed, which may start in a few months, their client will remain in the UK.