Julian Assange Makes Final Attempt to Prevent Extradition to the US

Lawyers representing Julian Assange are making their final attempt to prevent his extradition to the United States for trial over the leakage of military secrets. The two-day hearing at the High Court in London will focus on arguing for a full appeal to be allowed. However, there is no guarantee that the appeal will be granted, and if rejected, Assange could be extradited within weeks. Supporters of the Wikileaks founder argue that he exposed wrongdoing, while the US claims that Assange jeopardized lives. In 2010, Wikileaks released numerous classified military documents, including footage of a US helicopter attack on civilians in Baghdad. Assange sought refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for seven years before being arrested by the Metropolitan Police in 2019. The US requested his extradition the same year, citing that the disclosures endangered lives. Although a British judge initially blocked the extradition due to concerns over Assange harming himself, that ruling was later overturned with assurances of humane treatment. The US has denied allegations that Assange could face a 175-year prison sentence. During this week's hearing, Assange's lawyers are expected to request permission to challenge the extradition order signed by the former UK home secretary, Priti Patel, nearly two years ago. If they are unsuccessful, Assange will be extradited within 28 days unless he can convince the European Court of Human Rights to temporarily halt the process. According to Nick Vamos, the former head of extradition at the Crown Prosecution Service, US Marshals could arrive in London shortly after the High Court dismisses the case. Vamos also noted that it would be challenging for the European Court of Human Rights to intervene at this stage. Assange's wife, Stella Assange, expressed concerns for her husband's survival in a US prison and believes that the case is politically motivated. Julian Assange has been detained at London's Belmarsh Prison since 2019 during the course of the US extradition proceedings.