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.
Four Republicans buck Mike Johnson to join Hakeem Jeffries’ Obamacare push
Global wave of terror plots sparks new alarms over the West’s growing vulnerability
Nick Reiner Had a Bizarre Interaction with a Famous Comedian the Night Before His Parents’ Murder: Report
Bondi Beach mass shooting suspect charged with committing terrorist act
Trump Issues New Travel Bans and Restrictions for 20 Countries
Maryland to study slavery reparations after lawmakers override Dem governor’s veto
Trump stays on sidelines as GOP falters in push to unite on healthcare plan
Neighbors of slain MIT professor stunned by killing
Brown University shooting probe faces hurdles after campus empties out as witnesses scatter: former FBI agent
Another One: NC Repeat Offender and Murderer Who Served Just 5 Years Has Been Arrested for Killing Woman, 74, After Hijacking Ambulance
Pelosi Discusses Possibility of Third Trump Impeachment if Democrats Win House
MIT professor killed in shooting at Massachusetts home; police say no suspect in custody
Suspect arrested after Walmart customers report finding hidden razor blades in purchased bread
Border Patrol commander returns to Chicago as agents deploy pepper balls in immigrant neighborhood
SEE IT: Florida teen Anna Kepner captured on video dancing at cruise sail away party before mysterious death
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.
Four Republicans buck Mike Johnson to join Hakeem Jeffries’ Obamacare push
Global wave of terror plots sparks new alarms over the West’s growing vulnerability
Nick Reiner Had a Bizarre Interaction with a Famous Comedian the Night Before His Parents’ Murder: Report
Bondi Beach mass shooting suspect charged with committing terrorist act
Trump Issues New Travel Bans and Restrictions for 20 Countries
Maryland to study slavery reparations after lawmakers override Dem governor’s veto
Trump stays on sidelines as GOP falters in push to unite on healthcare plan
Neighbors of slain MIT professor stunned by killing
Brown University shooting probe faces hurdles after campus empties out as witnesses scatter: former FBI agent
Another One: NC Repeat Offender and Murderer Who Served Just 5 Years Has Been Arrested for Killing Woman, 74, After Hijacking Ambulance
Pelosi Discusses Possibility of Third Trump Impeachment if Democrats Win House
MIT professor killed in shooting at Massachusetts home; police say no suspect in custody
Suspect arrested after Walmart customers report finding hidden razor blades in purchased bread
Border Patrol commander returns to Chicago as agents deploy pepper balls in immigrant neighborhood
SEE IT: Florida teen Anna Kepner captured on video dancing at cruise sail away party before mysterious death
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.
