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.
Dem Senate nominee distances herself from Kamala Harris ahead of visit: ‘Will not be attending’
Rex Heuermann, suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer, pleads guilty to seven killings
California fraud concerns ramp up as man pleads guilty to massive scheme using taxpayers as his ‘piggy bank’
Who has been killed so far during the Iran war?
Eric Swalwell denies sexual harassment rumors as allegations mount
Husband of American woman missing in the Bahamas speaks out for first time, says he is ‘heartbroken’
Now That There’s a Ceasefire, There’s One Question Iran Will Be Forced to Answer: Where’s the Guy in Charge?
5 US House races shift toward Democrats: Cook Political Report
Trump Touts ‘Golden Age of the Middle East’ After Iran Ceasefire: ‘Big Money Will Be Made’
Meet the Trump-Endorsed Prosecutor Who Just Won the Race to Replace MTG
Trump, Rubio face NATO chief as US moves to ‘reexamine’ alliance after Iran clash
The Rules for the New Obama Center Shine a Bright Light on Democrats’ Hypocrisy
Trump, Iran agree to 2-week ceasefire and more top headlines
NATO’s Rutte heads to White House to make peace with Trump
Teamsters still bankrolling Democrats, including Jay Jones, despite openly flirting with Trump and GOP
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.
Dem Senate nominee distances herself from Kamala Harris ahead of visit: ‘Will not be attending’
Rex Heuermann, suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer, pleads guilty to seven killings
California fraud concerns ramp up as man pleads guilty to massive scheme using taxpayers as his ‘piggy bank’
Who has been killed so far during the Iran war?
Eric Swalwell denies sexual harassment rumors as allegations mount
Husband of American woman missing in the Bahamas speaks out for first time, says he is ‘heartbroken’
Now That There’s a Ceasefire, There’s One Question Iran Will Be Forced to Answer: Where’s the Guy in Charge?
5 US House races shift toward Democrats: Cook Political Report
Trump Touts ‘Golden Age of the Middle East’ After Iran Ceasefire: ‘Big Money Will Be Made’
Meet the Trump-Endorsed Prosecutor Who Just Won the Race to Replace MTG
Trump, Rubio face NATO chief as US moves to ‘reexamine’ alliance after Iran clash
The Rules for the New Obama Center Shine a Bright Light on Democrats’ Hypocrisy
Trump, Iran agree to 2-week ceasefire and more top headlines
NATO’s Rutte heads to White House to make peace with Trump
Teamsters still bankrolling Democrats, including Jay Jones, despite openly flirting with Trump and GOP
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.
