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.
Hope: Remember How the 2018 Blue Wave Fizzled? Turns Out Dems’ 2026 Numbers Aren’t Even Half What They Were Then
Deer Hunter Arrested and Charged with Manslaughter After Fatal Mistake
Trump says Mamdani ‘off to a start,’ has ‘great potential’ in visit to mayor’s mansion
Socialist, communist groups coordinate, promote ‘spontaneous’ anti-ICE protests in Austin
Watch: Dana Bash ‘At a Loss for Words’ Over CNN Ban at WH, But Then Video of CNN Suggesting WH Ban Fox News Surfaces
Vermont man convicted of attempted murder in shooting of three Palestinian students
Fury erupts over Mamdani parade invite as old Columbus insult resurfaces: ‘Are you kidding me?’
House Democrat Endorses Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in Close Midterm Race
Rep Eric Burlison: ‘Most of my colleagues’ are ‘drunk on spending other people’s money, even Republicans’
Austin ICE shooting sparks fight over Venezuelan illegal immigrant’s deportation
State Department clamps down on size of Iran’s UN delegation and ability to splurge on ‘shopping sprees’
Reporter’s Notebook: Congress faces a crisis that the ‘AI godfather’ warns it may not be ready to address
Murdaugh defense says detectives found male DNA under victim’s nails but skipped key testing
Trump Prepares Move to Cripple International Criminal Court in Wake of Netanyahu Arrest Warrant: Report
Special Agent Shaq: Kash Patel Grants NBA Legend Honorary Title at FBI
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.
Hope: Remember How the 2018 Blue Wave Fizzled? Turns Out Dems’ 2026 Numbers Aren’t Even Half What They Were Then
Deer Hunter Arrested and Charged with Manslaughter After Fatal Mistake
Trump says Mamdani ‘off to a start,’ has ‘great potential’ in visit to mayor’s mansion
Socialist, communist groups coordinate, promote ‘spontaneous’ anti-ICE protests in Austin
Watch: Dana Bash ‘At a Loss for Words’ Over CNN Ban at WH, But Then Video of CNN Suggesting WH Ban Fox News Surfaces
Vermont man convicted of attempted murder in shooting of three Palestinian students
Fury erupts over Mamdani parade invite as old Columbus insult resurfaces: ‘Are you kidding me?’
House Democrat Endorses Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in Close Midterm Race
Rep Eric Burlison: ‘Most of my colleagues’ are ‘drunk on spending other people’s money, even Republicans’
Austin ICE shooting sparks fight over Venezuelan illegal immigrant’s deportation
State Department clamps down on size of Iran’s UN delegation and ability to splurge on ‘shopping sprees’
Reporter’s Notebook: Congress faces a crisis that the ‘AI godfather’ warns it may not be ready to address
Murdaugh defense says detectives found male DNA under victim’s nails but skipped key testing
Trump Prepares Move to Cripple International Criminal Court in Wake of Netanyahu Arrest Warrant: Report
Special Agent Shaq: Kash Patel Grants NBA Legend Honorary Title at FBI
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.
