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.
Trans NYT Games executive killed after accusing in-laws of years of abuse amid bitter custody battle
FBI strikes back at hacking group with overseas arrest of alleged leader
Trump Administration Extradites Alleged Major Narco-Terrorist ‘The Spider’ to US to Face Charges
Jack Smith deputy advocated ‘repealing’ congressional protections prior to Jan. 6
AOC’s Trip Out of NYC Seen as a Hint at Her Aspirations for 2028
Rubio confirms ‘foreign actor’ involved in UK terror plot
Real winner of Xi summit revealed as Trump looks to usher in new era with China
Connecticut Homeowner Finds Himself in Cuffs After Opening Fire on Bear to Protect His Animals
Dick’s Sporting Goods Blocks Customers from Ordering Custom, Christian-Themed Water Bottles – Allows Islam
Jack Smith faces Senate grilling as Republicans press for criminal charges against him
Gaza refugee raised $13,000 on GoFundMe for alleged terrorist husband to enter US
State Department considers sharing passport records for voter citizenship checks
Lindsay Clancy’s push to probe holdout juror hits snag before pivotal retrial hearing
Kentucky trooper, father of 3, gunned down during traffic stop as suspect captured after manhunt
Lindsay Clancy holdout juror asks for one thing in new video after mistrial drama
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.
Trans NYT Games executive killed after accusing in-laws of years of abuse amid bitter custody battle
FBI strikes back at hacking group with overseas arrest of alleged leader
Trump Administration Extradites Alleged Major Narco-Terrorist ‘The Spider’ to US to Face Charges
Jack Smith deputy advocated ‘repealing’ congressional protections prior to Jan. 6
AOC’s Trip Out of NYC Seen as a Hint at Her Aspirations for 2028
Rubio confirms ‘foreign actor’ involved in UK terror plot
Real winner of Xi summit revealed as Trump looks to usher in new era with China
Connecticut Homeowner Finds Himself in Cuffs After Opening Fire on Bear to Protect His Animals
Dick’s Sporting Goods Blocks Customers from Ordering Custom, Christian-Themed Water Bottles – Allows Islam
Jack Smith faces Senate grilling as Republicans press for criminal charges against him
Gaza refugee raised $13,000 on GoFundMe for alleged terrorist husband to enter US
State Department considers sharing passport records for voter citizenship checks
Lindsay Clancy’s push to probe holdout juror hits snag before pivotal retrial hearing
Kentucky trooper, father of 3, gunned down during traffic stop as suspect captured after manhunt
Lindsay Clancy holdout juror asks for one thing in new video after mistrial drama
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.
