The United Kingdom has signed an extradition request for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who faces charges in the US under the Espionage Act.
UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he signed the papers on Wednesday, a day after the US Justice Department formally asked Britain to extradite the 47-year-old Australian.
“First of all I am very pleased the police were able to apprehend him and now he is rightly behind bars because he broke UK law,” Javid told BBC Radio 4 on Thursday.
“There is an extradition request from the US that is before the courts tomorrow but yesterday I signed the extradition order and certified it and that will be going in front of the courts tomorrow,” he added.
GOP leaders want Trump to endorse Cornyn in Texas Senate primary amid fears of costly fight
House Republican Greg Steube introduces bill to nix controversial H-1B visa program
Minivan mom puts Dem incumbent on notice in top GOP target district: ‘She has done nothing for us’
Gabbard ends task force that aimed to reform intelligence gathering after less than a year
Florida man allegedly points gun at multiple drivers during road rage confrontation
IRS erroneously shared confidential immigrant taxpayer data with DHS: court filing
Federal Judge releases four illegal immigrants convicted of murder, sex crimes from ICE Custody
Affluent Upper East Side explodes in outrage over controversial homeless shelter: ‘Unacceptable!’
Trump threatens ‘consequences’ after 6 House Republicans voted to reverse his Canada tariffs
Illegal alien youth coach could face death penalty after allegedly murdering, raping teen player
Wild Exchange: Nadler Makes Mistake of Insulting Bondi, Triggering a Scorched Earth Response Where She Brings the Receipts on His Hypocrisy and ‘Gutter’ Behavior
Chinese criminal gang allegedly recruited Navy members for sham marriages and base access
Trump directs military to strike new deals with coal-fired power plants: ‘Going to be buying a lot of coal’
Watch: Nadler Appears to Be Dead Asleep at Epstein DOJ Hearing – Same Hearing Where He Accused AG Bondi of Not Caring About Victims
Report: This GOP Advantage Has Some Democrats Panicking About Their Midterm Chances
The US will detail all charges against Assange on Friday, when it seeks his extradition in a London court.
US prosecutors initially charged Assange with a single count of computer intrusion, but last month added 17 new counts, including controversial charges under the
Espionage Act for encouraging, receiving and publishing national defense information in concert with former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning.
Such a charge under the Espionage Act has never been successfully prosecuted, according to CNN legal analyst Steve Vladeck.
Assange’s initial indictment sparked a debate over the First Amendment and whether his alleged role in procuring secret US material constituted protected journalistic activity.
GOP leaders want Trump to endorse Cornyn in Texas Senate primary amid fears of costly fight
House Republican Greg Steube introduces bill to nix controversial H-1B visa program
Minivan mom puts Dem incumbent on notice in top GOP target district: ‘She has done nothing for us’
Gabbard ends task force that aimed to reform intelligence gathering after less than a year
Florida man allegedly points gun at multiple drivers during road rage confrontation
IRS erroneously shared confidential immigrant taxpayer data with DHS: court filing
Federal Judge releases four illegal immigrants convicted of murder, sex crimes from ICE Custody
Affluent Upper East Side explodes in outrage over controversial homeless shelter: ‘Unacceptable!’
Trump threatens ‘consequences’ after 6 House Republicans voted to reverse his Canada tariffs
Illegal alien youth coach could face death penalty after allegedly murdering, raping teen player
Wild Exchange: Nadler Makes Mistake of Insulting Bondi, Triggering a Scorched Earth Response Where She Brings the Receipts on His Hypocrisy and ‘Gutter’ Behavior
Chinese criminal gang allegedly recruited Navy members for sham marriages and base access
Trump directs military to strike new deals with coal-fired power plants: ‘Going to be buying a lot of coal’
Watch: Nadler Appears to Be Dead Asleep at Epstein DOJ Hearing – Same Hearing Where He Accused AG Bondi of Not Caring About Victims
Report: This GOP Advantage Has Some Democrats Panicking About Their Midterm Chances
Assange lived inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London for seven years until April when the country revoked his protection and he was arrested.
The UK Home Office said in a statement: “Mr Assange was arrested in relation to a provisional extradition request from the United States of America. He is accused of offences including computer misuse and the unauthorized disclosure of national defence information.”
“We have received the full extradition request, which has been certified by the Home Secretary.
“This case is now before the courts and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Story cited here.
